Shloka 27
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
हिरण्यरेता नोष्ण: स्यात् परिवर्तेत मेदिनी । भासं तु न रवि: कुर्यान्न तु सत्यं चलेन्मयि,“आग चाहे ठण्डी हो जाय, पृथ्वी उलट जाय और सूर्यदेव प्रकाश करना छोड़ दें; किंतु मेरी यह सच्ची प्रतिज्ञा नहीं टल सकती”
hiraṇyaretā noṣṇaḥ syāt parivarteta medinī | bhāsaṃ tu na raviḥ kuryān na tu satyaṃ calen mayi ||
Vyāsa said: “Even if fire were to lose its heat, even if the earth were to overturn, and even if the sun were to cease giving light—still, the truth of my vow will not waver within me.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches unwavering commitment to satya: a truthful vow should remain firm even if one imagines impossible disruptions in nature. Truthfulness is presented as a foundational dharmic virtue that must not be compromised by fear, convenience, or changing circumstances.
Vyāsa, speaking with authoritative moral weight, declares the unshakeable certainty of his pledge. He uses cosmic impossibilities—fire losing heat, the earth overturning, the sun ceasing to shine—to emphasize that his truth will not deviate.