Shloka 26
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
सहिता भ्रातरस्ते5थ राज्यं बुभुजिरे तदा । तान् दृष्टवा भ्रातृभावेन भुज्जानान् राज्यमुत्तमम्
sahitā bhrātaras te ’tha rājyaṃ bubhujire tadā | tān dṛṣṭvā bhrātṛbhāvena bhuñjānān rājyam uttamam |
Bhishma dit : «Alors ces frères, unis, se mirent à jouir du royaume et à l’administrer ensemble. Les voyant vivre dans un esprit de fraternité et partager la jouissance de ce domaine excellent, Indra, seigneur des dieux, fut saisi de colère et se dit : “Je n’ai fait qu’un bienfait à ce roi-sage ; je ne lui ai causé aucun tort.”»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Shared rule grounded in bhrātṛbhāva (brotherly solidarity) is portrayed as a high ethical ideal in governance; the episode also warns that even apparent virtue can provoke envy or resentment, especially when power and prestige are involved.
A group of brothers jointly enjoy/administrate an excellent kingdom in harmony. Observing this unity, Indra becomes angry and thinks he has only helped the royal sage and has not harmed him—setting up a conflict driven by Indra’s reaction to their flourishing.