Shloka 46
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
गण्डोवाच उग्रादितो भयाद् यस्माद् बिभ्यतीमे ममेश्वरा: । बलीयांसो दुर्बलवद् बिभेम्यहमत: परम्
gaṇḍovāca ugrādito bhayād yasmād bibhyatīme mameśvarāḥ | balīyāṃso durbalavad bibhemyaham ataḥ param ||
قال غَنْḍا: «لأنني هُدِّدتُ بغلظةٍ وشدّة، قامت فيّ المخافة؛ حتى إن سادتي وحُماتي صاروا الآن يرتجفون. وإذ أرى الأقوياء يهتزّون كأنهم ضعفاء، أرتعب أنا أيضًا—أشدّ من أيّ وقتٍ مضى».
विश्वामित्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear spreads through a community: when harsh intimidation enters, even the powerful can become unsettled, and the weak feel even more insecure. It implicitly warns against coercive speech and points to the ethical responsibility of leaders to maintain steadiness rather than amplify panic.
Gaṇḍa describes the atmosphere after being fiercely threatened: fear has arisen, and even those he regards as his ‘lords’ or protectors are trembling. Observing the strong behave as if weak, he confesses that his own fear has intensified.