Shloka 13
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
वातापिरिल्वलश्नैव त्रिशिराश्न तथा विभो,प्रभो! वातापि, इल्वल, त्रिशिरा तथा सुन्द-उपसुन्द नामक असुर भी कार्यकौशलसे ही मारे गये हैं। क्रियात्मक उपायोंसे ही इन्द्र स्वर्गका राज्य भोगते हैं
Vātāpir Ilvalaś caiva Triśirāś ca tathā vibho, prabho! Vātāpi, Ilvala, Triśirā tathā Sunda-Upasunda-nāmaka asurā api kārya-kauśalenaiva mārāḥ. Kriyātmaka-upāyaiḥ eva Indraḥ svargasya rājyaṃ bhuṅkte.
Vāyu said: “O mighty lord! Vātāpi and Ilvala, Triśiras as well, and even the demons named Sunda and Upasunda were brought down only through skillful, practical means. Indeed, it is by effective action and well-chosen strategies that Indra continues to enjoy sovereignty in heaven.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that success against powerful adversaries and the maintenance of rightful sovereignty depend on upāya—skillful, practical, action-oriented methods—rather than mere force or wishful thinking. Ethical governance and protection require competence and timely strategy.
Vāyu cites well-known examples of formidable asuras—Vātāpi, Ilvala, Triśiras, and the brothers Sunda and Upasunda—who were defeated through effective stratagems. He then generalizes the point: Indra’s continued rule in Svarga is sustained by such practical measures.