Shloka 9
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
तमुदारं महासत्त्वमतिमानुषचेष्टितम् । समदुःखसुखं दृष्टवा विस्मित: पाकशासन:
tam udāraṁ mahāsattvam atimānuṣaceṣṭitam | samaduḥkhasukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Seeing that noble being of great inner strength, whose conduct seemed beyond ordinary human measure, and who remained even-minded in sorrow and happiness, Pākashāsana (Indra) was filled with astonishment. The verse highlights the ethical ideal of equanimity (samatā) and steadfastness as marks of true nobility.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True nobility is shown by steadiness of mind—remaining equal in pleasure and pain—and by conduct grounded in inner virtue (sattva), which even the gods recognize as exceptional.
Bhishma describes Indra observing a remarkably noble being whose extraordinary behavior and equanimity in happiness and sorrow cause Indra to feel wonder and admiration.