Shloka 14
Mahāvasu’s Fall by Speech-Error and Release through Devotion (अज-विवादः वसोः शापः विमोचनं च)
पपात भूमिं राजेन्द्र शुकस्यार्थे महात्मन: । कुरुनन्दन! राजेन्द्र! आकाशसे महात्मा शुकदेवके लिये दण्ड और काला मृगचर्म--ये दोनों वस्तुएँ पृथ्वीपर गिरी ।।
pāpāta bhūmiṁ rājendra śukasya arthe mahātmanaḥ | kurunandana rājendra ākāśe sa mahātmā śukadevake liye daṇḍaḥ kṛṣṇamṛgacarma ca—ete ubhe vastūnī pṛthivyāṁ papātuḥ ||
(jegīyante sma gandharvā nanṛtuś cāpsarogaṇāḥ | hāhā hūhūś ca gandharvā viśvāvasu-tumburu-nāradaiḥ saha tuṣṭuvuḥ śukasambhavam ||)
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O hari, alang-alang kay Śuka na dakilang kaluluwa, dalawang bagay—ang tungkod ng asceta at ang balat ng itim na antelope—ay bumagsak sa lupa na wari’y ipinagkaloob mula sa langit. Pagkaraan, umawit ang mga Gandharva at sumayaw ang mga pangkat ng Apsaras; umalingawngaw nang malakas ang mga tambol na makalangit, at ang mga Gandharva na sina Viśvāvasu, Tumburu, Nārada, Hāhā, at Hūhū ay nagpuri at nagdiwang sa mapalad na pagdating ni Śuka.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that genuine spiritual vocation (tapas and renunciation) is inherently auspicious and is ‘recognized’ by the moral order of the universe. The falling of the staff and antelope-skin symbolizes readiness for disciplined ascetic life, implying that dharma supports those oriented toward self-control and truth.
At Śuka’s advent, ascetic emblems (a staff and black antelope-skin) are said to fall to earth as if granted from the sky. Gandharvas sing, Apsarases dance, celestial drums sound, and renowned Gandharvas (Viśvāvasu, Tumburu, Nārada, Hāhā, Hūhū) praise Śuka’s birth.