Shloka 44
Vṛtra’s Cosmic Threat, Viṣṇu’s Upāya, and the Conditional Vulnerability
Udyoga-parva 10
अनुतेनाभि भूतो 5 भूच्छक्र: परमदुर्मना: । त्रैशीर्षयाभिभूतश्च स पूर्व ब्रह्महत्यया
anūtenābhibhūto bhūcchakraḥ paramadurmanāḥ | traiśīrṣayābhibhūtaś ca sa pūrvaṁ brahmahatyayā ||
ಆ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಘಾತಜನಿತ ಅಸತ್ಯದಿಂದ ಆವರಿತನಾಗಿ ವಜ್ರಧಾರಿ ಶಕ್ರನು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದುರ್ಮನಸ್ಕನಾದನು. ತ್ರಿಶಿರಸನ ವಧದಿಂದ ಉಂಟಾದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯಾಪಾಪವು ಮೊದಲೇ ಅವನನ್ನು ಆವರಿಸಿತ್ತು॥
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a victorious act can carry moral residue if it involves deceit or the killing of one protected by dharma; the verse highlights conscience, accountability, and the necessity of expiation when adharma taints action.
Śalya describes Indra’s inner turmoil: already burdened by brahmahatyā from killing Triśiras, Indra becomes further overwhelmed and despondent after the episode involving Vṛtra’s death, which is associated with betrayal/untruth.