Shloka 12
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
तमैरावतमूर्धस्थं प्रेक्ष्य देवगणैर्वृतम् । सुरेन्द्रमिन्द्रं दैत्येन्द्रो न शुशोच न विव्येथे,देवताओंसे घिरे हुए देवराज इन्द्रको ऐरावतकी पीठपर बैठे देख दैत्यराज बलिके मनमें तनिक भी शोक या व्यथा नहीं हुई
tam airāvatamūrdhasthaṃ prekṣya devagaṇair vṛtam | surendram indraṃ daityendro na śuśoca na vivyathe ||
Bhīṣma said: “Seeing Indra, the lord of the gods, seated upon the back of Airāvata and surrounded by hosts of deities, Bali—the king of the Dānavas—felt neither sorrow nor agitation.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches steadiness of mind: even when faced with an adversary’s grandeur and overwhelming support, a strong and disciplined person does not sink into grief or fear, but maintains composure and inner firmness.
Bhīṣma describes Bali seeing Indra seated on Airāvata and surrounded by the gods. Despite this intimidating sight, Bali does not grieve or become distressed, illustrating his courage and mental stability.