Shloka 7
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
इदमन्तरमित्येव शक्रो नृपममोहयत् । एकाशथ्चैन च राजर्षि भ्रान्त इन्द्रेण मोहित:
idam antaram ity eva śakro nṛpam amohayat | ekāśvaś cainaṃ ca rājarṣi bhrānta indreṇa mohitaḥ ||
Wahai penguasa manusia, “Inilah sela waktu—kesempatan untuk membalas dendam,” demikian tekad Śakra (Indra), lalu ia menjerumuskan raja ke dalam delusi. Tersihir dan tersesat oleh daya Indra, sang raja-ṛṣi Bhangaśvana—hanya ditemani seekor kuda—mengembara tanpa arah, kehilangan pengetahuan tentang penjuru, menderita lapar dan haus, letih oleh jerih payah dan terbakar dahaga, berputar ke sana kemari.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moha (delusion) can be imposed or intensified by powerful forces, leading even a rājarṣi to lose discernment and direction. Ethically, it warns that acting from a revenge-minded ‘opportunity’ (antaram) can precipitate confusion and suffering rather than righteous resolution.
Indra (Śakra), seeking a moment to retaliate, deludes the king. Under this enchantment the king becomes disoriented and wanders about with only one horse, suffering hunger, thirst, and exhaustion.