Shloka 17
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
सो5शवक्नुवन् विशेषाय समाहूय बृहस्पतिम् उवाचेदं वचो देवै: सहितो हरिवाहन:,जब देवताओंसहित इन्द्र किसी तरह बढ़ न सके, तब बृहस्पतिको बुलाकर उनसे इस प्रकार कहने लगे--
so 'śaknuvan viśeṣāya samāhūya bṛhaspatim uvācedaṃ vaco devaiḥ sahito harivāhanaḥ | yadā devatābhiḥ sahita indraḥ kathaṃcid api vardhituṃ na śaśāka, tadā bṛhaspatim āhūya tam etad uvāca —
Then Indra, the rider of Hari, though accompanied by the gods, found himself unable to advance any further. He summoned Bṛhaspati for special counsel and spoke to him in these words.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
When strength and allies do not suffice, a leader should seek wise counsel and act with humility; dharma is upheld not merely by power but by guidance rooted in discernment.
Vyāsa narrates that Indra, despite being with the gods, cannot advance or succeed in his aim; therefore he calls Bṛhaspati, the gods’ teacher, to consult him and begins speaking to him.