Shloka 17
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
सो5शवक्नुवन् विशेषाय समाहूय बृहस्पतिम् उवाचेदं वचो देवै: सहितो हरिवाहन:,जब देवताओंसहित इन्द्र किसी तरह बढ़ न सके, तब बृहस्पतिको बुलाकर उनसे इस प्रकार कहने लगे--
so 'śaknuvan viśeṣāya samāhūya bṛhaspatim uvācedaṃ vaco devaiḥ sahito harivāhanaḥ | yadā devatābhiḥ sahita indraḥ kathaṃcid api vardhituṃ na śaśāka, tadā bṛhaspatim āhūya tam etad uvāca —
जब देवताओं सहित हरिवाहन इन्द्र किसी प्रकार आगे बढ़ न सके, तब उन्होंने विशेष परामर्श के लिए बृहस्पति को बुलाया और उनसे इस प्रकार कहा।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
When strength and allies do not suffice, a leader should seek wise counsel and act with humility; dharma is upheld not merely by power but by guidance rooted in discernment.
Vyāsa narrates that Indra, despite being with the gods, cannot advance or succeed in his aim; therefore he calls Bṛhaspati, the gods’ teacher, to consult him and begins speaking to him.