Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 30
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
इतीन्द्रानुचरैर्ब्रह्मन् धर्षितोऽपि महामुनि: । यन्नागादहमो भावं न तच्चित्रं महत्सु हि ॥ ३० ॥
itīndrānucarair brahman dharṣito ’pi mahā-muniḥ yan nāgād ahamo bhāvaṁ na tac citraṁ mahatsu hi
ഹേ ബ്രാഹ്മണാ! ഇന്ദ്രന്റെ അനുചരർ ധൃഷ്ടമായി മഹാമുനി മാർകണ്ഡേയനെ ആക്രമിച്ചിട്ടും, അദ്ദേഹം അഹങ്കാരഭാവത്തിലേക്ക് വീണില്ല; മഹാത്മാക്കൾക്ക് ഇത്തരമൊരു ക്ഷമ അത്ഭുതമല്ല।
FAQs
This verse says that even when harassed by powerful beings like Indra’s followers, a great sage does not develop ahankāra (false pride); such humility is natural for mahātmās.
To highlight the contrast between worldly power and saintly character—external provocation may come, but a true great soul remains free from ego and prestige.
When criticized or treated unfairly, practice tolerance and self-restraint, remembering that spiritual maturity shows itself as humility rather than defensiveness or pride.