Shloka 9
प्रलय-प्रक्रिया (Pralaya Process) — Guṇa-Withdrawal and Pratisaṃcara
शक्र उवाच किमिदं त्वं मम कृते उताहो बलिन: कृते । दुःसहे विजहास्थेनं चिरसंवासिनी सती
śakra uvāca: kim idaṃ tvaṃ mama kṛte utāho balinaḥ kṛte? duḥsahe vijahāsi sthenaṃ cirasaṃvāsinī satī.
Śakra (Indra) said: “What is this—are you abandoning your abode for my sake, or for Bali’s sake? O Duḥsahā, you have long dwelt within King Bali’s body; are you now leaving him for my benefit, or for his welfare?”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical question about motive: whether an action (leaving a long-held ‘abode’) is done for one party’s advantage or another’s welfare. It highlights dharmic scrutiny of intention—benefit, loyalty, and the moral weight of choosing between competing हित (welfare) claims.
Indra (Śakra) addresses Duḥsahā, who has long resided in King Bali’s body, and asks why she is departing now—whether her departure is meant to help Indra or to serve Bali’s own good.