Shloka 66
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
उच्यते-- सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ चक्षु: केशाश्वैवांशव: स्मृता: । बोधयंस्तापयंश्वैव जगदुत्तिष्ठते पृथक्
ucyate— sūryācandramasau cakṣuḥ keśāś caivāṁśavaḥ smṛtāḥ | bodhayaṁs tāpayaṁś caiva jagad uttiṣṭhate pṛthak ||
It is said: the Sun and the Moon are my eyes, and their rays are remembered as my hair. Awakening the world and also heating it, the Sun and the Moon rise separately in their own courses—thus sustaining the order of the cosmos.
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
Educational Q&A
Indra uses a cosmic metaphor to teach balanced governance and moral order: like the Sun and Moon, a leader must both awaken people to duty and apply necessary discipline, each in its proper time and measure, maintaining harmony rather than excess.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructive setting, Indra speaks (in the context of the Indra–Nahusha episode) and describes his cosmic form: the Sun and Moon are his eyes and their rays his hair, emphasizing how these celestial powers rise distinctly and sustain the world.