Shloka 143
Puruṣaikatva-vyākhyāna: The One Virāṭ Puruṣa and the Many ‘Puruṣas’
Rudra–Brahmā Saṃvāda
ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थ॑ देवपक्षार्थवादिनम् । यह सुनकर वे सभी सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी ऋषि कुपित हो उठे और विमानपर बैठकर देवपक्षकी बात कहनेवाले वसुसे बोले--
ūcur vasuṃ vimānasthaṃ devapakṣārthavādinam |
Bhishma berkata: Mendengar hal itu, semua resi—bercahaya laksana matahari—bangkit dalam amarah. Mereka menegur Vasu yang duduk di kereta langit, karena ia berdebat membela pihak para dewa dan mengambil sikap yang mereka anggap berpihak.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between partisan advocacy and adherence to dharma as understood by the wise: taking a factional stance (even for the gods) can invite censure when it conflicts with principled judgment and the moral authority of sages.
After hearing Vasu’s words, the sun-bright sages become angry and address him directly. Vasu is described as seated in a vimana and as one who is arguing for the gods’ side, setting up a confrontation between his factional argument and the sages’ response.