Shloka 40
Adhyāya 136: Yavakrī–Bharadvāja Saṃvāda and the Bāladhī–Dhanuṣākṣa Gāthā
Arrogance, Boons, and Nimitta
क्रियतां यद् भवेच्छक्यं त्वया सुरगणेश्वर । वरांश्व मे प्रयच्छान्यान् यैरन्यान् भवितास्म्यति,यवक्रीतने कहा--देवेश्वर पाकशासन! जैसे आपका यह पुल बाँधनेका आयोजन व्यर्थ है, उसी प्रकार यदि मेरी इस तपस्याको भी आप निरर्थक मानते हैं तो वही कार्य कीजिये जो सम्भव हो, मुझे ऐसे उत्तम वर प्रदान कीजिये, जिनके द्वारा मैं दूसरोंसे बढ़- चढ़कर प्रतिष्ठा प्राप्त कर सकूँ
kriyatāṁ yad bhavec chakyaṁ tvayā suragaṇeśvara | varāṁś ca me prayacchānyān yair anyān bhavitāsmy ati ||
Yavakrīta said: “O Lord of the hosts of the gods! Do whatever is possible for you to do. And grant me other boons as well—excellent boons—by which I may surpass others and attain pre-eminent renown.”
यवक्रीत उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of tapas pursued for status: spiritual effort can be redirected into ambition, and the desire to ‘surpass others’ becomes a seed of pride that later distorts judgment and dharma.
Yavakrīta addresses the lord of the gods and presses for boons. Rather than seeking inner restraint or wisdom, he asks for gifts that will make him superior to others, framing his request as: ‘do what you can, and grant me such boons that I may outshine everyone.’