Shloka 48
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
ऋषिरेष महानात्मा पुराण: शाश्वतो$क्षर: । नैनं शक्तो हि संग्रामे जेतुं शक्रोडपि पुत्रक,“ये महात्मा नर पुरातन ऋषि, सनातन एवं अविनाशी हैं। बेटा! युद्धमें इन्हें इन्द्र भी नहीं जीत सकते
ṛṣir eṣa mahānātmā purāṇaḥ śāśvato 'kṣaraḥ | nainaṁ śakto hi saṅgrāme jetuṁ śakro 'pi putraka ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “This sage is a great-souled one—ancient, everlasting, and imperishable. In battle, my son, even Śakra (Indra) is not capable of conquering him.”
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Spiritual attainment and ascetic power grounded in dharma can surpass even divine martial strength; true greatness is marked by imperishability of virtue and inner power rather than mere force.
Vaiśaṃpāyana identifies and praises a particular sage as ancient and imperishable, emphasizing to his listener (“my son”) that this rishi is unconquerable in battle—even by Indra—thereby elevating the sage’s status and warning against underestimating him.