Shloka 11
Uttarā-diśā Māhātmya — Suparṇa’s Praise of the Northern Quarter
Suparṇa–Gālava Saṃvāda
अत्र मध्ये समुद्रस्य कबन्ध: प्रतिदृश्यते । स्वर्भानो: सूर्यकल्पस्य सोमसूर्यो जिघांसत:,पश्चिमदिशामें ही समुद्रके भीतर सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी उस राहुका कबन्ध (धड़) दिखायी देता है, जो सूर्य और चन्द्रमाको मार डालनेकी इच्छा रखता है
atra madhye samudrasya kabandhaḥ pratidṛśyate | svarbhānoḥ sūryakalpasya somasūryau jighāṃsataḥ ||
Dito, sa gitna ng karagatan, nakikita ang anyong tila punò ng katawan ni Svarbhānu—nagniningning na gaya ng araw—na may balak na patayin kapwa ang Buwan at ang Araw.
युपर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the mythic figure of Svarbhānu (Rāhu) to portray how destructive intent can turn against the very sources of light and order. Ethically, it warns that envy and violence, when unchecked, become anti-cosmic—opposed to sustaining forces—and thus align with adharma.
Yuparṇa describes a striking sight in the ocean: the kabandha (torso-like form) of Svarbhānu, blazing like the sun, intent on killing the Moon and the Sun. The description functions as ominous, mythic imagery—evoking the eclipse-demon’s hostility toward the luminaries.