Purukutsa’s Rasātala Victory; Triśaṅku and Hariścandra; Rohita and Śunaḥśepha
एवं द्वितीये तृतीये चतुर्थे पञ्चमे तथा । अभ्येत्याभ्येत्य स्थविरो विप्रो भूत्वाह वृत्रहा ॥ १९ ॥
evaṁ dvitīye tṛtīye caturthe pañcame tathā abhyetyābhyetya sthaviro vipro bhūtvāha vṛtra-hā
So geschah es auch am Ende des zweiten, dritten, vierten und fünften Jahres: Jedes Mal, wenn Rohita in die Hauptstadt zurückkehren wollte, trat Indra, der Bezwinger Vṛtras, als alter Brāhmaṇa zu ihm und untersagte die Rückkehr, indem er dieselben Worte wie im Vorjahr wiederholte.
This verse indicates Indra repeatedly approached in the guise of an aged brāhmaṇa to speak in a way that would be respected and persuasive, reflecting a strategic attempt to influence events through a socially sacred role.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse while recounting the Ninth Canto history to King Parīkṣit, describing Indra (the slayer of Vṛtra) and his repeated approach.
It highlights that influence often comes through trusted appearances and repeated persuasion; therefore, one should use discernment—judging by integrity and truth, not merely by external status or presentation.