Shloka 12
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
तावब्रूतां वृणीष्वेति तदा भरतसत्तम | अथैतावब्रवीच्छक्र: साह्ूं नः क्रियतामिति,भरतश्रेष्ठ) देवताओंकी प्रार्थना सुनकर उस समय उन दोनों ऋषियोंने इन्द्रसे कहा -- तुम्हारी जो इच्छा हो, उसके अनुसार वर माँगो।” तब इन्द्रने उनसे कहा--'भगवन्! आप हमारी सहायता करें'
tāv abrūtāṃ vṛṇīṣveti tadā bharatasattama | athaitāv abravīc chakraḥ sāhāyyaṃ naḥ kriyatām iti ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Entonces aquellos dos dijeron: “Elige un don, oh el mejor de los Bhāratas”. Y Śakra (Indra) les respondió: “Venerables señores, concedednos vuestra ayuda”.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that true efficacy in the epic world often rests with dharmic and ascetic authority: even Indra, a supreme ruler among gods, seeks ‘assistance’ from sages, implying that power should be guided and enabled by righteousness and spiritual merit rather than asserted alone.
Two sages invite Indra to choose a boon. Instead of requesting a personal gift, Indra asks them to help the gods—framing the coming action as a cooperative effort where the sages’ support is crucial.