Shloka 20
नाहं कृपालुहृदयो न च मां भजते क्षमा अन्ये ते मुनयः शक्र दुर्वाससम् अवेहि माम्
nāhaṃ kṛpāluhṛdayo na ca māṃ bhajate kṣamā anye te munayaḥ śakra durvāsasam avehi mām
I am not one whose heart is softened by pity, nor does forgiveness dwell in me. Other sages may be so, O Śakra; but know me as Durvāsas.
Sage Durvāsas (addressing Śakra/Indra)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Indra's encounter with the sage Durvāsas and the consequences of disrespect/pride toward a ṛṣi
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Spiritual authority is not to be approached through flattery; arrogance toward a sage invites swift karmic consequence.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice humility with teachers/elders, avoid performative apologies, and repair harm through sincere restraint and service.
Vishishtadvaita: Dharma as pleasing to the Lord is mediated through honoring His devotees/ṛṣis, whose tapas functions within His cosmic order.
FAQs
It highlights the Purāṇic principle that tapas (ascetic power) enforces moral order: offenses against sages can immediately produce consequences, even for Indra.
Indra’s sovereignty is shown as conditional, while a sage’s spiritual potency and moral authority can override celestial power when dharma is violated.
By stressing moral causality and the governance of cosmic order, the narrative prepares the ground for Vishnu’s role as the supreme regulator who restores balance when disorder spreads.