आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
तृतीयस्तु महातेजा महामायो महासुर: । निषादाधिपतिर्जज्ञे भुवि भीमपराक्रम:,तीसरा जो महान् तेजस्वी और महामायावी महादैत्य था, वह इस पृथ्वीपर भयंकर पराक्रमी निषादनरेशके रूपमें उत्पन्न हुआ
tṛtīyastu mahātejā mahāmāyo mahāsuraḥ | niṣādādhipatirjajñe bhuvi bhīmaparākramaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Kẻ thứ ba ấy rực rỡ đại quang minh, là một đại A-tu-la đầy quyền năng huyễn thuật; y đã sinh xuống cõi đất này làm chúa tể người Niṣāda, một bậc quân vương có dũng lực đáng kinh hãi.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights that immense power and deceptive capability (māyā) can manifest within human society; ethical discernment is needed because outward status (a kingly birth) may conceal an asuric disposition, reminding readers to judge by conduct and dharmic alignment rather than position alone.
Vaiśampāyana continues a genealogical/account of beings taking birth on earth: the 'third' great asura, characterized by brilliance and powerful māyā, is said to be born as the ruler of the Niṣādas, marked by fearsome prowess.