Shloka 23
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
ततः स तापयामास विबुधांस्तपसान्वित: । मतड़: सुखसम्प्रेप्सु: स्थानं सुचरितादपि
tataḥ sa tāpayāmāsa vibudhāṁs tapasānvitāḥ | mataṅgaḥ sukhasamprāptsuḥ sthānaṁ sucaritād api ||
その後、激しい苦行の力を備えたマタンガは、そのタパスの威力によって神々を悩ませ始めた。彼は、ただ善行（スチャリタ）によって得られるものをも超える福楽の境地を求めたのである。
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts ordinary virtue (sucarita) with the extraordinary force of tapas: ethical conduct is valuable, yet intense ascetic discipline can be pursued to reach a higher spiritual status—though such pursuit, when driven by strong desire, may create friction even with the gods, raising questions about right intention and the proper use of spiritual power.
Mataṅga undertakes severe austerities and, through their potency, begins to trouble the gods. His motive is to obtain a superior state of happiness or status—something he believes lies beyond what good conduct alone can secure.