Shloka 12
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
दिव्यवादित्रसंघुष्टे दिव्यस्त्रीचारणावृते । इन्द्र: पप्रच्छ देवेशमभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च
divyavāditrasaṅghuṣṭe divyastrīcāraṇāvṛte | indraḥ papraccha deveśam abhivādya praṇamya ca ||
Bhishma dit : «Dans cette assemblée céleste—retentissante d’instruments divins et entourée de jeunes femmes du ciel et des Cāraṇa—Indra s’approcha du Seigneur des dieux. Après lui avoir d’abord rendu hommage et s’être prosterné, Indra lui posa sa question.» La scène souligne que même le plus haut souverain parmi les dieux recherche la guidance par l’humilité, la juste conduite et la déférence envers l’autorité spirituelle.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: even a powerful ruler (Indra) approaches a higher spiritual authority with humility—first saluting and bowing—before asking questions. Proper reverence and disciplined conduct are presented as prerequisites for receiving guidance.
A grand celestial gathering is described, filled with divine music and surrounded by heavenly beings. In that setting, Indra respectfully greets and bows to the Lord of the gods (contextually Brahmā) and then begins his inquiry.