Shloka 183
Vivāha-dharma: Kanyā-pradāna, Śulka, and Pāṇigrahaṇa-niṣṭhā (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४४)
प्रावेपत सुसंत्रस्त: शापभीतस्तदा विभो | जैसे दर्पणमें प्रतिबिम्ब दिखायी देता है उसी प्रकार वे गुरुपत्नीके शरीरमें परिलक्षित हो रहे थे। प्रभो! घोर तपस्यासे युक्त विपुल मुनिको देखते ही इन्द्र शापके भयसे संत्रस्त हो थर-थर काँपने लगे
prāvepata susantrastaḥ śāpabhītastadā vibho |
Bhishma said: “O Lord, at that time Indra, terrified and shaken by fear of a curse, began to tremble violently. Seeing the mighty ascetic endowed with severe austerities, he was overcome with dread of being cursed.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the highest gods are not above moral consequence: the spiritual power born of tapas and righteousness can restrain divine authority, and fear of a sage’s curse reflects accountability to dharma.
Bhishma describes Indra’s reaction upon seeing a formidable ascetic: Indra becomes alarmed at the possibility of incurring a curse and begins to tremble in fear.