Shloka 15
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
स्पर्थते हि मया विप्र सदा हि स तु पार्थिव: । एवमस्त्विति चाप्युक्तो भ्रात्रा ते बलसूदन:
spardhate hi mayā vipra sadā hi sa tu pārthivaḥ | evam astv iti cāpy ukto bhrātrā te balasūdanaḥ ||
Dijo Marutta: «Oh brāhmaṇa, ese rey en verdad está siempre celoso de mí. Y tu hermano, oh matador de Bala, incluso ha asentido a ello diciendo: “Así sea”.»
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy and rivalry can distort judgment and influence decisions. It implicitly warns that even authoritative figures may act from jealousy, and that assent (“evam astu”) to such motives can entangle others in ethically fraught choices.
Marutta addresses a brāhmaṇa and points out that the ruler (in context, Indra) harbors constant jealousy toward him. He adds that the brāhmaṇa’s brother has accepted Indra’s stance by replying “evam astu,” indicating agreement with the refusal/obstruction connected to Marutta’s sacrifice.