Shloka 16
Adhyāya 223: Nāradasya Guṇa-kathana
Catalogue of Nārada’s Virtues
यत् तद् यानसहसैस्त्वं ज्ञातिभि: परिवारित: । लोकान् प्रतापयन् सर्वान् यास्यस्मानवितर्कयन्
yat tad yāna-sahasrais tvaṁ jñātibhiḥ parivāritaḥ | lokān pratāpayan sarvān yāsy asmān avitarkayan ||
Śakra sprach: „Einst warst du von Tausenden von Gefährten und von deinen eigenen Verwandten umringt; du zogst umher und sengtest alle Menschen mit deiner Macht—als wären die Götter, ja selbst wir, nicht einmal eines Gedankens wert.“
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked power and pride lead to disregard for moral limits and even contempt for higher authority; the verse functions as a rebuke, urging humility and responsible conduct rather than oppressive display of might.
Śakra (Indra) addresses someone who once traveled in great pomp—surrounded by many vehicles and relatives—oppressing people and acting as if the gods were insignificant, highlighting the person’s former arrogance as a point of admonition.