Shloka 58
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
मध्ये त्रिदशवर्गस्य देवराज: शतक्रतुः । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं बृहस्पतिमनुत्तमम्
madhye tridaśa-vargasya devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ | uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ bṛhaspatim anuttamam ||
三十三神の集会のただ中で、釈迦羅—百の祭祀で名高い天界の王インドラ—は、無比のブリハスパティに向かい、甘美で柔らかな言葉をもって語りかけた。
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical communication and humility: even Indra, the lord of the gods, approaches the highest teacher (Bṛhaspati) with sweet and respectful speech, implying that authority should be guided by reverence for wisdom and disciplined words.
Indra (Śakra), seated among the gathered gods, begins speaking to Bṛhaspati. The verse functions as a narrative transition into counsel or instruction delivered in a formal assembly setting.