Shloka 48
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
इन्द्र बोले--भगवन्! मैंने लोभवश कमलोंको नहीं लिया था। आपलोगोंके मुखसे धर्मकी बातें सुनना चाहता था
indra uvāca—bhagavan! mayā lobhavaśaḥ kamalāni na gṛhītāni. yuṣmākaṁ mukhāt dharmakathāḥ śrotum icchann eva etāni kamalāni apahṛtavān. ataḥ adya mayā yuṣmākaṁ mukhāt sa āṛṣaḥ sanātano dharmaḥ śrutaḥ yaḥ nityaḥ avikārī anāmayaḥ ca saṁsārasāgarāt pāraṁ netuṁ setuvat. anena dharmaśrutīnāṁ utkarṣaḥ siddhaḥ.
Indra dit : «Vénérable seigneur, je n’ai pas pris ces lotus par avidité. Je les ai saisis seulement parce que je désirais entendre de vos propres lèvres les enseignements du dharma. Et aujourd’hui, j’ai réellement entendu de vous ce dharma ancien, proclamé par les ṛṣi : éternel, immuable, exempt d’affliction, tel un pont qui fait traverser l’océan de l’existence mondaine. Ainsi se trouve confirmée l’excellence et la suprématie des saintes doctrines du dharma.»
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that true dharma, taught by the sages, is timeless and transformative—like a bridge across saṁsāra—and that hearing dharma directly from the wise is itself a supreme good. It also highlights ethical scrutiny of intention: Indra claims his act was not greed-driven but aimed at gaining dharma-instruction.
Indra addresses the sage (Agastya), explaining why he took the lotuses. He confesses the act, denies greed as the motive, and states that the seizure was a means to prompt a dharma-discourse. He then affirms that he has now heard the ancient, rishi-taught dharma and praises its power to carry one beyond worldly existence.