Shloka 35
Atithi’s Direction to the Nāga-sage Padma at Naimiṣa (अतिथ्युपदेशः—नैमिषे पद्मनागोपाख्यानप्रस्तावः)
ते देवा: सेन्द्रा ब्रह्माणमभिजग्मुस्त ऊचुर्विश्वरूपेण सर्वयज्ञेषु सुहुत: सोम: पीयते वयमभागा: संवृत्ता असुरपक्षो वर्धते वयं क्षीयामस्तदर्हसि नो विधातुं श्रेयोडनन्तरमिति,तदनन्तर इन्द्रसहित सम्पूर्ण देवता ब्रह्माजीक पास गये और इस प्रकार बोले --'भगवन्! विश्वरूप सम्पूर्ण यज्ञोंमें विधिपूर्वक होमे गये सोमरसको पी लेते हैं। हम यज्ञभागसे वंचित हो गये। असुरपक्ष बढ़ रहा है और हमलोग क्षीण होते जा रहे हैं; अतः आपको अब हमलोगोंका कल्याण-साधन करना चाहिये”
te devāḥ sendrā brahmāṇam abhijagmus ta ūcuḥ—viśvarūpeṇa sarvayajñeṣu suhutaḥ somaḥ pīyate; vayam abhāgāḥ saṃvṛttāḥ; asurapakṣo vardhate; vayaṃ kṣīyāmas; tad arhasi no vidhātuṃ śreyo ’nantaram iti.
Then the gods, with Indra at their head, approached Brahmā and said: “In every sacrifice, the Soma-juice duly offered is being drunk by Viśvarūpa. We have been deprived of our rightful share. The side of the Asuras is growing, while we are diminishing. Therefore, you ought to arrange for our immediate welfare and restoration.”
तास्त्वाष्ट उवाच क्व गमिष्यथास्यतां तावन्मया सह श्रेयो भविष्यन्तीति
Educational Q&A
When rightful portions and duties in a sacred order are disrupted, imbalance follows—strengthening harmful forces and weakening protectors. The verse frames dharma as a system of fair distribution and proper ritual function, requiring wise authority to restore equilibrium promptly.
The gods, led by Indra, report to Brahmā that Viśvarūpa is consuming the Soma offered in all sacrifices, leaving the gods without their sacrificial share. As a result, the Asuras gain strength while the gods decline, so they request Brahmā to intervene immediately for their welfare.