Shloka 17
सगरोपाख्यानम् (Sagara-Upākhyāna): Śiva’s boon and the extraordinary birth of Sagara’s progeny
त्रिदशानां वच: श्र॒त्वा मैत्रावरुणिरब्रवीत् । किमर्थमभियाता: स्थ वरं मत्त: कमिच्छथ । एवमुक्तास्ततस्तेन देवता मुनिमब्रुवन्,(सर्वे प्राउजलयो भूत्वा पुरन्दरपुरोगमा: ।) देवताओंकी बात सुनकर मित्रावरुणनन्दन अगस्त्यने पूछा--'देवताओ! आपलोग किसलिये यहाँ पधारे हैं और मुझसे कौन-सा वर चाहते हैं?” उनके इस प्रकार पूछनेपर इन्द्रको आगे करके सब देवताओंने हाथ जोड़कर मुनिसे कहा--
tridaśānāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā maitrāvaruṇir abravīt | kimartham abhiyātāḥ stha varaṁ mattaḥ kam icchatha | evam uktās tatas tena devatā munim abruvan (sarve prāñjalayo bhūtvā purandara-purogamāḥ) |
Hearing the words of the gods, Agastya, son of Mitra and Varuṇa, said: “For what purpose have you come here, and what boon do you desire from me?” Thus addressed, the deities—placing Indra at their head and joining their hands in reverence—replied to the sage.
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic etiquette: even powerful beings approach a true sage with humility (prāñjali), and the sage responds with composed inquiry about purpose and rightful request. Authority is shown to be grounded in tapas and virtue, not mere status.
Agastya hears the gods’ words and asks why they have come and what boon they seek. The gods, led by Indra, respectfully join their hands and begin to state their request to the sage.