Shloka 60
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
शतक्रतुरुवाच येषां वेदा निहिता वै गुहायां मनीषिणां सत्यवतां महात्मनाम् | तेषां त्वयैकेन महात्मनास्मि वृद्धस्तस्मात् प्रीतिमांस्तेडहमद्य
śatakratur uvāca yeṣāṃ vedā nihitā vai guhāyāṃ manīṣiṇāṃ satyavatāṃ mahātmanām | teṣāṃ tvayā ekena mahātmanā asmi vṛddhas tasmāt prītimāṃs te ’ham adya ||
शतक्रतु (इन्द्र) ने कहा—जिन सत्यवादी, मनीषी महात्माओं की हृदय-गुफा में वेद निहित हैं, उनमें आप अग्रणी हैं। हे महात्मन्! केवल आपके कल्याण-चिन्तन से मैं समृद्ध हुआ; इसलिए आज मैं आप पर अत्यन्त प्रसन्न और स्नेहपूर्ण हूँ।
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
True greatness is marked by truthfulness and inner assimilation of sacred knowledge: the Vedas are portrayed as ‘enshrined in the heart-cave’ of wise, truthful great souls. Such integrity and inward realization naturally command reverence, even from Indra.
Indra (Śatakratu) addresses a revered great soul, praising him as foremost among sages who embody the Vedas inwardly, and expresses gratitude and affection, stating that he has prospered through that sage’s benevolent intention.