One of the classic examples of the consequence of the lack of reserved power of will at a critical moment is the story of the Fall of the Great sage Viswamitra:
Some western readers have seen the Mahabharata story of the fall of the mighty Rishi Viswamitra through carnal passion. This adept of adepts, this Maha Yogi, had spiritual power so tremendous, (gained) by centuries of ascetic practices as to make Indra quake upon his celestial throne and cause the King of the Devas to desire the humiliation of The Kingly Sage (Rajarishi). So the God took counsel of Menaka, first of the Apsaras (Divine Damsels or Celestial Choristers) how it might be effected. The beauteoius slender-waisted Menaka according to the plan, presented herself before Viswamitra in his hermit retreat, in all her seductive loveliness, but bashfully seemed afraid of him and pretended to run away. But the complaisant Maruta, the wind-god, suddenly sent a breeze that stripped of her raiments and exposed her charms, like another Phryne, to theastonished gaze of the Rishi. In an instant, the sexual desire, long easily suppressed from lack of temptation, flamed up, and he called her to him, took her to wife, and a daughter- the most lovable Sakuntala- was the fruit of the union.
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