Shloka 16
मधुकैटभवधोपाख्यानम्
The Account of the Slaying of Madhu and Kaiṭabha
सुखोपविष्टो वरदस्ततस्तु बलसूदन: । ततः प्रश्न॑ बक॑ देव उवाच त्रिदशेश्वर:,सबको वर देनेवाले बलनिषूदन देवेश्वर इन्द्र जब सुखपूर्वक आसनपर बैठ गये, तब वे मुनिवर बकसे इस प्रकार बोले--
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
sukhopaviṣṭo varadas tatas tu balasūdanaḥ |
tataḥ praśnaṃ bakaṃ deva uvāca tridaśeśvaraḥ ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: فلما جلس إندرا—واهبُ النِّعَم وقاتلُ بَلا—جلوسًا مريحًا، توجّه الحكيم بَكَ بسؤالٍ إلى ذلك السيدِ على الآلهة، فقال على هذا النحو.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in learning: first offer proper reception and composure, then begin inquiry. Knowledge-seeking is framed as respectful dialogue—timing, etiquette, and mental steadiness support truthful questioning and worthy answers.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Indra, praised as the boon-giver and slayer of Bala, sits down comfortably. After Indra is settled, the sage Baka begins to ask him a question, initiating a formal exchange between ascetic seeker and divine authority.