Shloka 7
Vivāha-dharma: Kanyā-pradāna, Śulka, and Pāṇigrahaṇa-niṣṭhā (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४४)
तामाबभाषे देवेन्द्र: साम्ना परमवल्गुना । त्वदर्थमागतं विद्धि देवेन्द्र मां शुचिस्मिते
tām ābabhāṣe devendraḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | tvadartham āgataṃ viddhi devendra māṃ śucismite ||
Maka Indra, raja para dewa, berbicara kepadanya dengan tutur yang amat manis dan menenteramkan: “Ketahuilah, aku datang demi dirimu, wahai engkau yang senyumnya suci. Kenalilah aku sebagai Indra, raja para dewa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses power or high status, ethical conduct favors winning trust through respectful, gentle speech (sāman) rather than force. Authority is best exercised with restraint and courtesy.
Indra approaches a woman and identifies himself as Devendra, explaining that he has come specifically for her sake, speaking in an exceptionally sweet and conciliatory manner.