Shloka 28
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
देवशर्मोवाच बहुमाय: स विप्रर्षे भगवान् पाकशासन: । तांस्तान् विकुरुते भावान् बहूनथ मुहुर्मुहु:
devadharma uvāca bahumāyaḥ sa viprarṣe bhagavān pākaśāsanaḥ | tāṁs tān vikurute bhāvān bahūn atha muhur muhuḥ ||
Devadharma said: “O brahmarṣi, the blessed Pākaśāsana (Indra) is skilled in many kinds of māyā (wondrous powers). Again and again he assumes many different states and forms, transforming himself repeatedly.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Indra’s mastery of māyā—his capacity to assume many forms and conditions repeatedly—implying that divine beings can operate through shifting appearances; therefore one should not judge reality or dharma solely by outward form.
A speaker identified here as Devadharma addresses a brahmarṣi and describes Indra (Pākaśāsana) as one who repeatedly changes into many manifestations, emphasizing his wondrous, transformative power.