Shloka 15
तेनार्चिषा सुसंतप्ता देवा: सर्षिपुरोगमा: । ततो जम्मुर्महात्मान: सर्व एव दिवौकस: । शतक्रतुं सहस्राक्षं देवेशमसुरार्दनम्,उस लपटसे संतप्त हुए देवता और महर्षि आदि सभी देवलोकवासी महात्मा असुरोंका नाश करनेवाले देवेश्वर सहस्राक्ष इन्द्रके पास गये
tenārciṣā susantaptā devāḥ sarṣipurogamāḥ | tato jagmur mahātmānaḥ sarva eva divaukasaḥ | śatakratuṃ sahasrākṣaṃ deveśam asurārdanam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Scorched and distressed by that blazing radiance, the gods—led by the ṛṣis—set out together. All the great-souled inhabitants of heaven then went to Śatakratu, the thousand-eyed Indra, lord of the gods and destroyer of the asuras, seeking refuge and decisive protection against the threat that had overwhelmed them.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a community is overwhelmed by a destructive force, it turns to rightful leadership and established protectors of order. The verse highlights collective responsibility (the gods together with the ṛṣis) and the ethical impulse to seek protection that restores cosmic stability rather than acting in panic or isolation.
A blazing radiance has afflicted the gods. Distressed, the gods—led by sages—go to Indra, described by his epithets (Śatakratu, Sahasrākṣa), as the divine leader capable of countering asuric threats, to seek help and resolution.