Shloka 2
भयात् संस्तम्भितभुज: सृक्किणी लेलिहन् मुहुः । ततोअब्रवीद् देवराजश्व्यवनं भयपीडित:,लोमशजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठिर! मुँह बाये हुए यमराजकी भाँति भयंकर मुखवाले उस मदासुरको निगलनेके लिये आते देख देवराज इन्द्र भयसे व्याकुल हो गये। जिनकी भुजाएँ स्तब्ध हो गयी थीं, वे इन्द्र मृत्युके डरसे घबराकर बार-बार ओएष्ठप्रान्त चाटने लगे। उसी अवस्थामें उन्होंने महर्षि च्यवनसे कहा--'भृगुनन्दन! ये दोनों अश्विनीकुमार आजसे सोमपानके अधिकारी होंगे। मेरी यह बात सत्य है, अतः आप मुझपर प्रसन्न हों
bhayāt saṁstambhitabhujaḥ sṛkkīṇī lelihan muhuḥ | tato 'bravīd devarājaś cyavanaṁ bhayapīḍitaḥ ||
Lomaśa said: Struck with fear, his arms rigid, repeatedly licking the corners of his mouth, the king of the gods—tormented by terror—then spoke to Cyavana. Seeing the dreadful Mada-demon advancing to swallow him like Death itself, Indra, shaken by the fear of destruction, sought refuge in a pledge of justice: he promised that from that day the two Aśvin twins would be entitled to drink Soma, and he affirmed the truth of his word to win the sage’s favor.
लोगमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mighty are bound by dharma and truth: fear exposes vulnerability, and lasting resolution comes through a righteous pledge (satya-vacana) and honoring legitimate claims—here, granting the Aśvins their due share in Soma.
Indra, terrified by the approach of the dreadful Mada-demon, becomes physically shaken and, in that fearful state, addresses the sage Cyavana, promising that the Aśvin twins will henceforth be entitled to drink Soma, seeking the sage’s appeasement and protection.