Shloka 5
प्रलय-प्रक्रिया (Pralaya Process) — Guṇa-Withdrawal and Pratisaṃcara
शक्र उवाच का त्वं बलेरपक्रान्ता रोचमाना शिखण्डिनी । अजानतो ममाचक्ष्व नामधेयं शुचिस्मिते
śakra uvāca kā tvaṃ baler apakrāntā rocamānā śikhaṇḍinī | ajānato mamācakṣva nāmadheyaṃ śucismite ||
Śakra (Indra) said: “Who are you—having departed from Bali—standing here, radiant, with beautiful hair? I do not know you; therefore tell me your name, O you of pure smile. Having left the lord of the Daityas and illuminating me with your splendor, who are you that stand thus? Answer my question and declare your identity.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds discernment and truthful self-disclosure: when confronted with an unknown but powerful presence, Indra seeks clarity through direct questioning, implying that identity and intention should be made explicit before judgment or action—an ethical posture aligned with dharma.
Indra (Śakra) sees a radiant feminine figure who has emerged from or departed from Bali. Not recognizing her, he asks who she is and requests her name and introduction, noting her extraordinary splendor.