Shloka 34
Parāśara’s Counsel on बुद्धि (Discernment), Karma-Consequences, and Avoidance of Pāpānubandha Actions
महेश्वर उवाच एष वृत्रो महान् शक्र बलेन महता वृतः । विश्वात्मा सर्वगश्नैव बहुमायश्व विश्वुतः
maheśvara uvāca | eṣa vṛtro mahān śakra balena mahatā vṛtaḥ | viśvātmā sarvagaś caiva bahumāyaś ca viśrutaḥ ||
ພຣະມະເຫສະວະຣະກ່າວວ່າ: “ໂອ ສະກຣະ (ພຣະອິນ), ວຣິຕຣາຜູ້ຍິ່ງໃຫຍ່ນີ້ຢືນຢູ່ຕໍ່ໜ້າເຈົ້າ ໂດຍມີກອງທັບອັນໃຫຍ່ຫຼວງຫ້ອມລ້ອມ. ເນື່ອງຈາກຍຶດໝັ້ນໃນປັນຍາອັນແທ້ ເຂົາຖືກເວົ້າວ່າໄດ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ໂລກທັງປວງເປັນອາດຕະຂອງຕົນ. ເຂົາກ່າວກັນວ່າສາມາດໄປໄດ້ທົ່ວທຸກບ່ອນຕາມໃຈ ແລະໂດ່ງດັງວ່າຊໍານານໃນມາຍາ (ອຸບາຍລວງຕາ/ກົນລະຍຸດພາບລວງ) ຫຼາຍປະເພດ.”
महेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames true power as complex: even an enemy in battle may be described as knowledge-grounded (jñāna-niṣṭha), expansive in vision (viśvātmā), and skilled in māyā. Ethically, it cautions against underestimating opponents and suggests that inner attainment and strategic capability can coexist, demanding discernment rather than simplistic moral labeling.
Maheśvara addresses Indra, pointing out that Vṛtra stands before him, protected by a large force. He characterizes Vṛtra as renowned—capable of moving everywhere and wielding many māyās—thereby preparing Indra to recognize the magnitude and unusual qualities of the adversary he faces.