Shloka 39
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
अहं च त्वं च ये चान्ये भविष्यन्ति सुराधिपा: । ते सर्वे शक्र यास्यन्ति मार्गमिन्द्रशतैर्गतम्,इन्द्र! मैं, तुम या और जो लोग भी देवेश्वरके पदपर प्रतिष्ठित होंगे, वे सब-के-सब उसी मार्गपर जायँगे, जिसपर पहलेके सैकड़ों इन्द्र जा चुके हैं
ahaṁ ca tvaṁ ca ye cānye bhaviṣyanti surādhipāḥ | te sarve śakra yāsyanti mārgam indraśatair gatam ||
Bhīṣma said: “I, you, and all others who in the future will be established in the office of lord of the gods—every one of them, O Śakra, will follow the very same path that has already been traversed by hundreds of Indras before.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the highest divine sovereignty is not permanent; the role of Indra is a succession within cosmic order. Recognizing this fosters humility and detachment from status, emphasizing that offices and powers are transient while dharma and right conduct remain the enduring measure.
Bhīṣma addresses Indra (Śakra), reminding him that many Indras have preceded him and many will follow. He frames Indra’s position as part of an ongoing cycle, indicating that future rulers of the gods will tread the same established course.