Shloka 24
The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
Vṛtra’s Death, Indra’s Sin, and Brahmin Censure
विचारमेवं कर्त्तव्यं भवद्भिर्द्विजसत्तमाः । पश्चात्कोपं प्रकर्त्तव्यमन्यायं मम चिंत्यताम्
vicāramevaṃ karttavyaṃ bhavadbhirdvijasattamāḥ | paścātkopaṃ prakarttavyamanyāyaṃ mama ciṃtyatām
おお最勝の再生者たちよ、このように熟慮せよ。しかる後にのみ怒りを示すべし。わたしに不義がなされたかどうかを省みよ。
Unspecified (context needed to identify the exact speaker in the dialogue)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवद्भिर्द्विजसत्तमाः = भवद्भिः + द्विजसत्तमाः; पश्चात्कोपम् = पश्चात् + कोपम्; प्रकर्तव्यमन्यायम् = प्रकर्तव्यम् + अन्यायम्.
FAQs
It teaches that one should investigate and reflect first, and only then respond—especially with anger—so that reactions are guided by justice rather than impulse.
Anger is not presented as the first response; it is permitted, if at all, only after careful consideration of whether wrongdoing (anyāya) has truly occurred.
“Dvijasattamāḥ” commonly refers to eminent Brahmins or learned twice-born persons; the verse addresses them as responsible decision-makers who must deliberate before acting.