Shloka 24
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
शल्य उवाच अथ देवा: सगन्धर्वा गुरुमाहुरिदं वच: । कथं सुनीतं नु भवेन्मन्त्रयस्व बृहस्पते,शल्य कहते हैं--राजन! तब देवताओं तथा गन्धवोने गुरुसे इस प्रकार कहा --“बृहस्पते! आप ही सलाह दीजिये कि किस उपायका अवलम्बन करनेसे शुभ परिणाम होगा?”
śalya uvāca atha devāḥ sagandharvā gurum āhur idaṃ vacaḥ | kathaṃ sunītaṃ nu bhaven mantray asva bṛhaspate ||
Shalya said: Then the gods, together with the Gandharvas, addressed their preceptor with these words: “O Bṛhaspati, counsel us—by what course of action will the outcome be well-guided and auspicious?”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wise action should be grounded in good policy (su-nīti) and careful counsel; seeking guidance from a qualified teacher is presented as an ethical means to secure an auspicious outcome.
Shalya narrates that the gods and Gandharvas approach their preceptor Bṛhaspati and ask him to advise them on what course of action will lead to a well-directed and favorable result.