Shloka 117
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
तमेवमुक्त्वा भगवाउछतक्रतु:ः प्रतिप्रयातों गजराजवाहन: । विजित्य सर्वानसुरान् सुराधिपो ननन्द हर्षेण बभूव चैकराट्
tam evam uktvā bhagavān śatakratuḥ pratiprayāto gajarāja-vāhanaḥ | vijitya sarvān asurān surādhipo nananda harṣeṇa babhūva ca ekarāṭ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Après avoir parlé ainsi, le bienheureux Śatakratu (Indra), monté sur le roi des éléphants, s’en alla et regagna sa demeure. Ayant vaincu tous les Asuras, il fut solidement établi dans la dignité de seigneur des dieux ; et, souverain unique et sans rival, il se réjouit, rempli d’allégresse.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal that rightful authority and social-cosmic order are restored when disruptive forces are overcome; legitimate sovereignty, once re-established, brings stability and rightful joy rather than mere personal triumph.
After addressing Bali (implied by context), Indra—mounted on Airāvata—returns to his own realm. Having defeated the Asuras, he is reinstated as lord of the gods and rejoices as an undisputed sovereign.