Shloka 25
“उस समय सभी देवताओं तथा ऋषियोंने उनकी स्तुति की। उन्हें देखते ही प्रज्वलित कान्तिसे सुशोभित भगवान् अग्निदेवका तेज नष्ट-सा हो गया। वे श्रीहरिके तेजसे तिरस्कृत हो गये। समस्त देवसमुदायके स्वामी एवं वरदायक भगवान् विष्णुका दर्शन करके वज्रधारी इन्द्रने उन्हें हाथ जोड़कर प्रणाम किया और बार-बार मस्तक झुकाया। तदनन्तर वे सारी बातें भगवानसे कह सुनायीं, जिनके कारण उन्हें उस दैत्यसे भय हो रहा था” | २२-- २४ ।। विष्णुरुवाच जानामि ते भयं शक्र दैत्येन्द्रान्नकात् ततः । ऐन्द्रं प्रार्थयते स्थानं तप:सिद्धेन कर्मणा,तब भगवान् विष्णुने कहा--इन्द्र! मैं जानता हूँ, तुम्हें दैत्यराज नरकासुरसे भय प्राप्त हुआ है। वह अपने तपःसिद्ध कर्मोद्वारा इन्द्रपदको लेना चाहता है
tadā sarve devāḥ ṛṣayaś ca tasya stutim akurvan | taṃ dṛṣṭvaiva prajvalita-kāntyā suśobhitaḥ bhagavān agnir iva tejo naṣṭa-sadṛśo babhūva; sa śrī-hareḥ tejasā tiraskṛto 'bhavat | sarva-deva-samūhasya svāmī varadaś ca bhagavān viṣṇuḥ—taṃ dṛṣṭvā vajradhara indraḥ kṛtāñjalir namaskṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ śirasā praṇanāma | tataḥ sa sarvāḥ kathāḥ bhagavate nivedayām āsa, yābhir asau tasmād daityād bhītaḥ | viṣṇur uvāca—jānāmi te bhayaṃ śakra daityendrān narakāt tataḥ | aindraṃ sthānaṃ prārthayate tapaḥ-siddhena karmaṇā ||
At that time the gods and seers praised him. Yet the moment they beheld the Lord—radiant with blazing splendor—even Agni’s fire-like brilliance seemed to fade, eclipsed by Śrī Hari’s superior light. Seeing Viṣṇu, the sovereign and boon-giver of the entire host of gods, Indra the wielder of the thunderbolt bowed with folded hands, again and again lowering his head in reverence. Then he reported to the Lord all the circumstances that had made him afraid of that demon. Viṣṇu said: “Śakra, I know your fear—arising from the demon-king Naraka. By the power gained through austerity and accomplished deeds, he seeks to claim the station of Indra.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest worldly or cosmic authority (Indra) remains subordinate to the Supreme Lord; true security comes from humility and taking refuge in divine order. Power gained through austerity can become ethically dangerous when driven by ambition to usurp rightful roles.
The gods and sages praise the Lord; Viṣṇu’s splendor outshines even Agni. Indra reverently bows and explains his fear of Narakāsura, who—empowered by austerities—aims to seize Indra’s office. Viṣṇu acknowledges Indra’s fear and the demon’s intention.