Shloka 14
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 103: Garuḍa’s Protest, Viṣṇu’s Demonstration, and Counsel Toward Śama
न मे नैतद् बहुमतं महर्षे वचनं तव । सखा शक्रस्य संयुक्त: कस्यायं नेप्सितो भवेत्
na me naitad bahumataṃ maharṣe vacanaṃ tava | sakhā śakrasya saṃyuktaḥ kasyāyaṃ nepsito bhavet ||
O great seer, I do not find your statement convincing. For one who is allied with Indra and is his companion—how could such a person fail to be sought after (or desired) by someone?
आर्यक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Aryaka questions the plausibility of a claim by appealing to social and moral realism: association with great power (here, Indra) inevitably attracts attention, desire, or political interest. The verse highlights critical discernment in counsel—statements should align with how influence and alliances operate in the world.
Aryaka addresses a great sage and expresses disbelief at the sage’s assertion. He argues that someone closely connected with Śakra (Indra) would naturally be sought after by others, implying that the situation under discussion must involve motives, rivalry, or strategic interest.