Shloka 363
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
निकामवर्षी पर्जन्यो बभूव जनमेजय । जनमेजय! जब ऋषि लोग ऐसी बातें कह रहे थे, उसी समय महा तेजस्वी देवराज इन्द्रने महर्षिका तपोबल देखकर पानी बरसाना आरम्भ किया। जबतक उस यज्ञकी समाप्ति नहीं हुई, तबतक अमितपराक्रमी इन्द्रने वहाँ इच्छानुसार वर्षा की
nikāmavarṣī parjanyo babhūva janamejaya | janamejaya! yadā ṛṣayaḥ tādṛśīḥ kathāḥ kathayanti sma, tadā mahātejasvī devarāja indraḥ maharṣīṇāṃ tapobalam avalokya varṣaṃ prāvartayat | yāvat tasya yajñasya samāptiḥ na abhavat, tāvat amita-parākrama indraḥ tatra yathākāmaṃ varṣaṃ vyavarṣat |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, the rains became abundant and timely. Just as the sages were speaking in this manner, the radiant king of the gods, Indra, perceiving the power of the great seers’ austerities, began to send down rain. Until that sacrifice was brought to completion, Indra of immeasurable might caused rain to fall there according to his will.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the traditional Mahābhārata idea that properly conducted sacrifice, supported by the austerity-power (tapas) of sages, harmonizes the natural and divine order—so that even Indra, lord of rain, responds by sustaining the rite and the community through timely rainfall.
As the sages speak and the sacrificial proceedings continue, Indra observes the seers’ spiritual power and begins to pour rain. He maintains this favorable rainfall until the yajña is fully completed, ensuring the rite proceeds without obstruction.