Shloka 27
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
चिन्तयामास देदवेन्द्रो मन्युनाथ परिप्लुत: । उपकारोअस्य राजर्षे: कृतो नापकृतं मया
cintayāmāsa devendro manyunātha pariplutaḥ | upakāro ’sya rājarṣeḥ kṛto nāpakṛtaṃ mayā ||
Dijo Bhishma: «Abrumado y arrastrado por la ira, Devendra (Indra) reflexionó: “Sólo he beneficiado a este sabio rey; no le he hecho ningún mal.”» Ese pensamiento revela una autojustificación moral: Indra presenta su acto como “ayuda” y no como “daño”, aun cuando el resentimiento crece al ver a otros prosperar unidos.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger can distort moral judgment: one may rationalize one’s conduct as ‘help’ (upakāra) and deny any ‘harm’ (apakṛta), even when the surrounding context suggests resentment and conflict. It cautions against self-serving ethical narratives formed under the sway of manyu (wrath).
Bhīṣma narrates that Indra, seeing the situation and becoming overwhelmed with anger, internally reflects that he has only benefited a certain royal sage and has not wronged him. The line captures Indra’s emotional state and his attempt to justify his role in the unfolding events.