Shloka 10
Arjuna Honored in Indra’s Court; Lomāśa’s Audience; Indra’s Disclosure of Lineage and Mission
Book 3, Chapter 45
एको वै रक्षिता चैव त्रिदिवं मघवानिव । अकत्थनो मानयिता स्थूललक्ष्य: प्रियंवद:
eko vai rakṣitā caiva tridivaṁ maghavān iva | akatthano mānayitā sthūlalakṣyaḥ priyaṁvadaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “He was indeed a solitary protector—like Maghavān (Indra) guarding the heaven of the gods. Free from boastfulness, he honored others; straightforward in aim and plain to read, he spoke with pleasing words.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises an ideal protector-leader: strong in safeguarding others, yet humble (without self-praise), respectful toward people, transparent in intention, and gentle in speech—ethical power joined with restraint and courtesy.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing a person’s character in laudatory terms, comparing his protective capacity to Indra’s guardianship of heaven and highlighting virtues of humility, respect for others, clarity of purpose, and pleasing speech.