Shloka 42
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
भीष्म उवाच ततस्तु तैः शपथै: शप्यमानै- ननिविधैर्बहुभि: कौरवेन्द्र । सहस्राक्षो देवराट् सम्प्रहृष्ट: समीक्ष्य तं कोपनं विप्रमुख्यम्
bhīṣma uvāca | tatastu taiḥ śapathaiḥ śapyamānaiḥ nānāvidhair bahubhiḥ kauravendra | sahasrākṣo devarāṭ samprahṛṣṭaḥ samīkṣya taṃ kopanaṃ vipramukhyam ||
Bhishma dit : «Ô seigneur des Kurus, lorsque les hommes se furent ainsi liés par de nombreux serments, divers et solennels, Indra —le roi des dieux aux mille yeux— en fut grandement réjoui. Voyant Agastya, le plus éminent des brahmanes, en proie à la colère, Indra se manifesta devant lui.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of śapatha (solemn oaths): when vows are sincerely undertaken and dharma is upheld, divine forces are portrayed as becoming favorable. It also underscores the narrative idea that even a great sage’s anger is significant enough to draw divine attention, implying the need for restraint and right resolution.
After many people make various oaths, Indra is pleased. Observing an eminent brahmin-sage (identified in the accompanying tradition as Agastya) in an angry state, Indra appears before him, setting up a divine encounter that will influence the unfolding events.