Shloka 57
इन्द्रस्य दुःखप्राप्तिः—त्रिशिरोवधः, वृत्रोत्पत्तिः, जृम्भिकाजननम्
Indra’s Distress: Slaying of Triśiras, Birth of Vṛtra, and the Origin of Yawning
त्वष्टस्तेजोबलाविद्धस्तदा शक्रो न्यवर्तत । निवृत्ते च तदा देवा विषादमगमन् परम्,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
tvaṣṭas-tejobala-āviddhas tadā śakro nyavartata | nivṛtte ca tadā devā viṣādam agaman param, bharataśreṣṭha |
Śalya said: “Then Śakra (Indra), struck and overpowered by the fiery energy and strength bestowed by Tvaṣṭṛ, turned back from the battle. And when he withdrew, the gods fell into profound despondency, O best of the Bharatas.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest can falter when confronted by overwhelming, divinely intensified power; the episode highlights how a leader’s withdrawal can ripple into collective despair, underscoring the ethical weight of steadfastness and responsibility in crisis.
Indra (Śakra), overwhelmed by the tejas and bala associated with Tvaṣṭṛ’s empowerment, turns back from the fight; seeing Indra withdraw, the gods become deeply dejected.