Shloka 15
श॒क्र उवाच हलक: वीर त्वं देवानामरीन् जहि । अवज्ञस्यन्ति मां लोका वीर्येण तव विस्मिता:,इन्द्रने कहा--वीर! तुम्हारा बल अद्भुत है, अतः तुम्हीं देव-शत्रुओंका संहार करो। वीरवर! मैं तुम्हारे सामने पराजित होकर बलहीन सिद्ध हो गया हूँ। अतः तुम्हारे पराक्रमसे चकित होकर लोग मेरी अवहेलना करेंगे। यदि मैं इन्द्र पदपर स्थित रहूँ, तो भी सब लोग मेरा उपहास करेंगे और आलस्य छोड़कर हम दोनोंमें परस्पर फूट डालनेका प्रयत्न करेंगे
śakra uvāca: halakaḥ vīra tvaṃ devānām arīn jahi | avajñasyanti māṃ lokā vīryeṇa tava vismitāḥ ||
Śakra (Indra) said: “O Halaka, hero—slay the enemies of the gods. People, astonished by your prowess, will come to slight me. Before you I appear defeated and powerless; and even if I remain seated in the rank of Indra, all will mock me and, casting off restraint, will try to sow discord between us.”
श॒क्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and public perception affect leadership: even a rightful ruler can become vulnerable to ridicule and factionalism when another’s prowess eclipses his own. It warns that envy and reputation can provoke social disrespect and political attempts to create division.
Indra (Śakra) addresses Halaka, urging him to take on the task of destroying the gods’ enemies. Indra expresses fear that Halaka’s superior valor will make people belittle Indra, and that onlookers will try to drive a wedge between them through mockery and intrigue.