Shloka 20
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
याज्यमानं मया हि त्वां बृहस्पतिपुरन्दरौ । द्विषेतां समभिक्रुद्धावेतदेक॑ समर्थसे:
yājyamānaṃ mayā hi tvāṃ bṛhaspati-purandarau | dviṣetāṃ samabhikruddhāv etad ekaṃ samarthase ||
When I undertake to officiate your sacrifice, both Bṛhaspati and Purandara (Indra) will become enraged and bear hostility toward me. At that time, you must be capable of doing this one thing: standing firmly in my support.
संवर्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty and moral courage: when righteous action (here, a sacrificial undertaking) provokes powerful opposition, one must not abandon an ally who bears the consequences, but support them firmly.
Saṃvarta warns the intended sacrificer that if Saṃvarta conducts the rite, the established divine authorities—Bṛhaspati and Indra—will become angry and hostile toward him; therefore the sacrificer must be prepared to stand by Saṃvarta when that opposition arises.