Shloka 5
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
ततः स भगवांस्तत्र अद्धिरा: समदृश्यत । अथर्ववेदमन्त्रैश्न देवेन्द्र समपूजयत्,तदनन्तर वहाँ भगवान् अंगिराने दर्शन दिया और अथर्ववेदके मन्त्रोंसे देवेन्द्रका पूजन किया
tataḥ sa bhagavāṁs tatra aṅgirāḥ samadṛśyata | atharvavedamantreś ca devendram samapūjayat ||
Then, at that very place, the venerable sage Aṅgirā appeared before him. Thereafter, using mantras from the Atharvaveda, he duly worshipped Devendra (Indra). The episode underscores that even in matters of power and conflict, rightful action is grounded in reverence, sacred discipline, and proper ritual order.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic order: spiritual authority and sacred practice (mantra and proper worship) are presented as legitimate means to seek divine support, reminding that power should be approached through reverence and disciplined ritual rather than mere force.
Śalya narrates that the sage Aṅgirā becomes visible (appears) at the spot, and then Indra (Devendra) is worshipped using Atharvavedic mantras, indicating a formal, Vedic mode of honoring the deity.