Shloka 4
Vṛtra’s Cosmic Threat, Viṣṇu’s Upāya, and the Conditional Vulnerability
Udyoga-parva 10
तस्माद् विनिश्चयमिमं शृणुध्व॑ त्रेदिवौकस: । विष्णो: क्षयमुपागम्य समेत्य च महात्मना । तेन सम्मन्त्रय वेत्स्थामो वधोपायं दुरात्मन:
tasmād viniścayam imaṃ śṛṇudhva tredivaukasaḥ | viṣṇoḥ kṣayam upāgamya sametya ca mahātmanā | tena sammantraya vetsyāmo vadhopāyaṃ durātmanaḥ ||
Therefore, O dwellers of the three heavens, listen to this firm resolve of mine: let us go to the abode of Viṣṇu and, meeting that great Supreme One, take counsel with him. With his guidance we shall learn the means to bring about the death of that wicked being.
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronting a destructive evil, action should proceed from deliberation and alignment with dharma—seeking higher, principled guidance rather than acting from anger or haste.
Indra addresses the assembled gods and proposes a collective decision: they should go to Viṣṇu’s abode, meet the great Supreme One, and consult him to learn the proper means to kill a wicked adversary.