Shloka 363
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
निकामवर्षी पर्जन्यो बभूव जनमेजय । जनमेजय! जब ऋषि लोग ऐसी बातें कह रहे थे
nikāmavarṣī parjanyo babhūva janamejaya | janamejaya! yadā ṛṣayaḥ tādṛśīḥ kathāḥ kathayanti sma, tadā mahātejasvī devarāja indraḥ maharṣīṇāṃ tapobalam avalokya varṣaṃ prāvartayat | yāvat tasya yajñasya samāptiḥ na abhavat, tāvat amita-parākrama indraḥ tatra yathākāmaṃ varṣaṃ vyavarṣat |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「ジャナメージャヤよ、雨は豊かに、しかも時宜を得て降った。仙人たちがそのように語っているまさにその時、光輝ある天界の王インドラは、大聖仙たちの苦行の力を見て取り、雨を降らせ始めた。その供犠が成就するまでの間、無量の威力をもつインドラは、己が意のままにその地へ雨を降らせたのである。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the traditional Mahābhārata idea that properly conducted sacrifice, supported by the austerity-power (tapas) of sages, harmonizes the natural and divine order—so that even Indra, lord of rain, responds by sustaining the rite and the community through timely rainfall.
As the sages speak and the sacrificial proceedings continue, Indra observes the seers’ spiritual power and begins to pour rain. He maintains this favorable rainfall until the yajña is fully completed, ensuring the rite proceeds without obstruction.