Shloka 17
इक्ष्वाकुवंश-प्रसङ्गः, पुरंजय-दैवसाहाय्य-कथा, युवनाश्व-मांधातृ-उत्पत्तिः, सौभरि-वैराग्योपदेशः
ऊचुश् चैनं । भो भोः क्षत्रियवर्यास्माभिर् अभ्यर्थितेन भवतास्माकम् अरातिवधोद्यतानां साहाय्यं कृतम् इच्छामः । तद् भवतास्माकम् अभ्यागतानां प्रणयभङ्गो न कार्यः । इत्य् उक्तः पुरंजयः प्राह । सकलत्रैलोक्यनाथो यो ऽयं युष्माकम् इन्द्रः शतक्रतुर् अस्य यद्य् अहं स्कन्धारूढो युष्मदरातिभिः सह योत्स्ये तदाहं भवतां सहायः । इत्य् आकर्ण्य समस्तदेवैर् इन्द्रेण च बाढम् इत्य् एवं समन्विच्छितम् ॥
ūcuś cainaṃ | bho bhoḥ kṣatriyavaryāsmābhir abhyarthitena bhavatāsmākam arātivadhodyatānāṃ sāhāyyaṃ kṛtam icchāmaḥ | tad bhavatāsmākam abhyāgatānāṃ praṇayabhaṅgo na kāryaḥ | ity uktaḥ puraṃjayaḥ prāha | sakalatrailokyanātho yo 'yaṃ yuṣmākam indraḥ śatakratur asya yady ahaṃ skandhārūḍho yuṣmadarātibhiḥ saha yotsye tadāhaṃ bhavatāṃ sahāyaḥ | ity ākarṇya samastadevair indreṇa ca bāḍham ity evaṃ samanvicchitam ||
They said to him: “O best of kṣatriyas, since you have been entreated by us, we desire that you render aid to us who are poised to slay our foes. Therefore, for us who have come to you in trust, do not break the bond of friendship.” Thus addressed, Puraṁjaya replied: “Indra—your Śatakratu—is the lord of all the three worlds. If I, mounted upon his shoulders, should fight together with you against your enemies, then indeed I shall be your ally.” Hearing this, all the gods, and Indra as well, consented, saying, “So be it”—and thus the agreement was settled.
First: the gods (Devas) addressing Puraṁjaya; Then: Puraṁjaya replying (reported by the Purāṇic narrator in the larger Parasara→Maitreya frame)
Cosmic Hierarchy: Lokas
Concept: A righteous alliance is sealed by trust (praṇaya) and kept by honoring one’s word in service of a larger dharmic cause.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Maintain integrity in commitments; collaborate with rightful authority for protective action rather than ego-driven heroism.
Vishishtadvaita: Cooperation between divine order (devas) and a human king as instrument aligns with the view that souls function as real modes/servants of Bhagavān’s purpose.
Vamsha: Surya
Dharma Exemplar: Friendship/loyalty (praṇaya) and kṣatriya alliance in defense of order
Key Kings: Puranjaya, Indra
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
It signifies a sanctioned alliance of royal power with divine sovereignty—kṣatriya strength becomes effective when aligned with Indra’s world-ordering authority.
The gods appeal to praṇaya (trusted friendship), implying that refusing aid after accepting a request would be a moral breach; the narrative treats loyalty and protection as dharmic obligations.
Even when gods and kings act, their legitimacy rests on a higher cosmic order; Indra’s ‘lordship of the three worlds’ functions as a visible emblem of that overarching sovereignty ultimately grounded in Purāṇic theism.