समुद्रपानम् (Samudra-pānam) — Maitrāvaruṇi Drains the Ocean; Devas Seek a Means to Refill It
तेडभिगम्य महात्मान॑ मैत्रावरुणिमच्युतम् । आश्रमस्थं तपोराशिं कर्मभि: स्वैरभिष्टवन्,अपनी महिमासे कभी च्युत न होनेवाले मित्रावरुण नन््दन तपोराशि महात्मा अगस्त्य आश्रममें ही विराजमान थे। देवताओंने समीप जाकर उनके अद्भुत कर्मोंका वर्णन करते हुए स्तुति प्रारम्भ की
teḍabhigamya mahātmānaṁ maitrāvaruṇim acyutam | āśramasthaṁ taporāśiṁ karmabhiḥ svair abhiṣṭuvan ||
Lumapit sila sa dakilang si Agastya—anak nina Mitra at Varuṇa, na di kailanman nalilihis sa kanyang dangal na espirituwal—at natagpuan siyang nakaupo sa kanyang ashram, isang tunay na kayamanan ng tapas. Paglapit, sinimulan ng mga diyos ang pagpupuri, isinasalaysay ang kanyang mga pambihirang gawa.
लोगश उवाच
The verse highlights that enduring greatness is rooted in tapas—disciplined self-control and spiritual effort—and that genuine virtue commands respect even from the gods. Ethical authority arises from character and deeds, not from status alone.
The gods approach Agastya in his hermitage and begin praising him by recounting his remarkable deeds, setting the stage for a dialogue or boon that typically follows such divine recognition of a sage’s power.