Shloka 61
शीलेन हि त्रयो लोकास्त्वया धर्मज्ञ निर्जिता: । तद्विज्ञाय सुरेन्द्रेण तव शीलं हतं प्रभो,धर्मज्! तुमने शीलके द्वारा ही तीनों लोकोंपर विजय पायी थी। प्रभो! यह जानकर ही सुरेन्द्रने तुम्हारे शीलका अपहरण कर लिया है
śīlena hi trayo lokās tvayā dharmajña nirjitāḥ | tad vijñāya surendreṇa tava śīlaṃ hataṃ prabho ||
“Indeed, by your good conduct you had conquered the three worlds, O knower of dharma. Realizing this, Indra, lord of the gods, has struck down and taken away your good conduct, O noble one.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral victory is rooted in śīla (steady good conduct). When character is compromised—whether by inner weakness or external temptation—even great achievements and spiritual authority become vulnerable.
A brāhmaṇa addresses a dharma-knowing figure, praising how his virtue once brought universal triumph, then warns that Indra, perceiving the source of that power, has undermined or removed that very śīla—signaling a turning point where ethical strength is being tested or diminished.