Shloka 15
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
पीत: समुद्रो5गस्त्येन हागाधो ब्रह्मतेजसा । तस्माद् ब्रुवन्तु सर्वेडत्र बटुरेष धनुर्महान्
pītaḥ samudro ’gastyena hy agādho brahma-tejasā | tasmād bruvantu sarve ’tra baṭur eṣa dhanur mahān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “The ocean—though unfathomable—was once drunk up by Agastya through the blazing power of his brahmanical austerity. Therefore, let everyone here speak out: this youth before us is indeed a great bowman (worthy of the mighty bow).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses Agastya’s legendary feat as an exemplum to show that spiritual power (brahma-tejas) can accomplish what seems impossible, and that an assembly should openly acknowledge genuine capability when it appears—even in someone young.
Vaiśampāyana cites the story of Agastya drinking the ocean to underscore extraordinary power, then urges those present to declare their judgment that the youth standing there is a truly great wielder of the bow.