Shloka 11
अध्याय ३४ — एलापत्रस्योपदेशः
Elāpatra’s Counsel on the Nāgas’ Deliverance
शक्र उवाच वाक्येनानेन तुष्टो5हं यत् त्वयोक्तमिहाण्डज । यमिच्छसि वरं मत्तस्तं गृहाण खगोत्तम,इन्द्र बोले--पक्षिराज! तुमने यहाँ जो बात कही है, उससे मैं बहुत संतुष्ट हूँ। खगगश्रेष्ठ! तुम मुझसे जो चाहो, वर माँग लो
śakra uvāca | vākyenānena tuṣṭo 'haṃ yat tvayoktam ihāṇḍaja | yam icchasi varaṃ mattas taṃ gṛhāṇa khagottama ||
Śakra (Indra) said: “I am pleased by these words you have spoken here, O egg-born bird. Whatever boon you desire from me—take it, O best of birds.” In the narrative, Indra’s satisfaction signals that truthful, well-spoken counsel and noble intent are worthy of divine approval, and that power is to be exercised through granting boons in response to merit rather than coercion.
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Measured, meaningful speech and righteous intent earn trust and favor; authority is ideally exercised by rewarding merit (through a boon) rather than by force.
Indra (Śakra) expresses satisfaction with the bird’s words and invites the bird to choose any boon from him, marking a turning point where dialogue leads to divine reward.