Shloka 3
कल्माषपाद-शाप-कारणम्
Cause of Kalmāṣapāda’s Niyoga under a Curse
क्षितौ निपतितं काले शक्रध्वजमिवोच्छितम् । तं हि दृष्टवा महेष्वासं निरस्तं पतितं भुवि,वे समय पाकर गिरे हुए ऊँचे इन्द्रध्वजकी भाँति पृथ्वीपर पड़े थे। तपतीसे विमुक्त उन महान् धनुर्धर महाराजको इस प्रकार पृथ्वीपर पड़ा देख राजमन्त्री ऐसे व्याकुल हो उठे मानो उनके शरीरमें आग लग गयी हो। वे तुरंत उनके पास जा पहुँचे। स्नेहवश उनके हृदयमें घबराहट पैदा हो गयी थी
kṣitau nipatitaṁ kāle śakradhvajam ivocchritam | taṁ hi dṛṣṭvā maheṣvāsaṁ nirastaṁ patitaṁ bhuvi ||
他倒卧在大地之上，宛如因时而降的因陀罗高幡。众人见那位伟大的弓手被弃置、仆倒于地，皆为悲痛所震撼，仿佛烈火烧身，便急忙奔向他，因深情牵念而心神战栗。
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile—Indra’s lofty banner brought down ‘in due time’—to underscore impermanence: even the exalted and powerful can be laid low. Ethically, it evokes compassion and loyal concern in witnesses, reminding readers that greatness does not exempt one from vulnerability and that humane response to another’s fall is a mark of virtue.
A mighty archer is seen lying fallen on the ground. The speaker (a Gandharva) describes the scene with the image of a tall Indra-banner toppled at its appointed time, emphasizing the shock and grief of those who behold the hero’s collapse and their urgent movement toward him.