Shloka 16
इन्द्रस्य दुःखप्राप्तिः—त्रिशिरोवधः, वृत्रोत्पत्तिः, जृम्भिकाजननम्
Indra’s Distress: Slaying of Triśiras, Birth of Vṛtra, and the Origin of Yawning
नित्यं संदर्शयामासुस्तथैवाड्रेषु सौष्ठवम् । नाभ्यगच्छत् प्रहर्ष ता: स पश्यन् सुमहातपा:
nityaṃ saṃdarśayāmāsus tathaivāḍreṣu sauṣṭhavam | nābhyagacchat praharṣa tāḥ sa paśyan sumahātapāḥ ||
They would continually display the same excellence even amid hardships; yet no thrill of delight arose. Though he watched them, that mighty ascetic—of great austerity—did not attain exhilaration, remaining inwardly unmoved.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
True austerity and ethical steadiness are shown by remaining unshaken by displays meant to provoke pleasure or excitement; inner discipline is measured by non-reactivity to temptation.
Śalya describes a situation where certain people repeatedly present excellence or pleasing displays even in adverse circumstances, but the great ascetic who observes them does not feel exhilaration—highlighting his restraint and detachment.