Shloka 11
Āstravidyā-Pradarśana: The Kuru Princes’ Public Demonstration of Arms (आस्त्रविद्या-प्रदर्शनम्)
यशसोर्थाय चैव त्वं कुरु कर्म सुदुष्करम् । प्राप्पाधिपत्यमिन्द्रेण यज्ञैरिष्टं यशो<र्थिना,“अपने यशका विस्तार करनेके लिये तुम अत्यन्त दुष्कर कर्म करो, जैसे इन्द्रने स्वर्गका साम्राज्य प्राप्त कर लेनेके बाद भी केवल यशकी कामनासे अनेकानेक यज्ञोंका अनुष्ठान किया था
yaśaso'rthāya caiva tvaṃ kuru karma suduṣkaram | prāpya ādhipatyam indreṇa yajñair iṣṭaṃ yaśo'rthinā ||
«Auch um des Ruhmes willen sollst du überaus schwere Taten auf dich nehmen. Selbst Indra — nachdem er die Herrschaft erlangt hatte — vollzog zahlreiche Opfer, getrieben vom Wunsch, seinen Namen zu mehren.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse urges undertaking arduous, disciplined action not only for material gain but also to establish worthy reputation; it presents Indra’s continued performance of sacrifices even after attaining sovereignty as an example of striving for lasting renown through sanctioned deeds.
Vaiśampāyana, in his narration, advises that one should perform very difficult undertakings for the sake of fame, illustrating the point with Indra, who—despite already possessing dominion—still conducted many sacrifices motivated by the wish to extend his glory.