Shloka 56
इन्द्रस्य दुःखप्राप्तिः—त्रिशिरोवधः, वृत्रोत्पत्तिः, जृम्भिकाजननम्
Indra’s Distress: Slaying of Triśiras, Birth of Vṛtra, and the Origin of Yawning
संरब्धयोस्तदा घोर सुचिरं भरतर्षभ । यदा व्यवर्धत रणे वृत्रो बलसमन्वित:,भरतश्रेष्ठ! क्रोधमें भरे हुए उन दोनों वीरोंका वह भयानक संग्राम बहुत देरतक चलता रहा। वृत्रासुर त्वष्टाेके तेज और बलसे व्याप्त हो जब युद्धमें अधिक बलशाली हो बढ़ने लगा, तब इन्द्र युद्धसे विमुख हो गये। इन्द्रके विमुख होनेपर सब देवताओंको बड़ा दुःख हुआ
saṃrabdhayostadā ghoraṃ suciraṃ bharatarṣabha | yadā vyavardhata raṇe vṛtro balasamanvitaḥ ||
Śalya said: “O bull among the Bharatas, the dreadful combat between those two enraged warriors continued for a long time. When Vṛtra, endowed with might, began to grow stronger in the battle, Indra turned away from the fight. Seeing Indra withdraw, all the gods were overcome with grief.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger-fueled conflict can become prolonged and terrifying, and how a leader’s withdrawal at a critical moment can shake collective morale; it implicitly values steadiness and responsibility in the face of rising opposition.
Śalya narrates an episode where the fierce battle between Indra and Vṛtra drags on; as Vṛtra’s strength increases, Indra turns away from the fight, and the other gods become distressed at Indra’s retreat.