Shloka 5
Marutta’s Sacrifice: Indra’s Threat, Saṃvarta’s Mantric Restraint, and Divine Reconciliation (अध्याय १०)
बृहस्पति याजकं त्वं वृणीष्व वजन वा ते प्रहरिष्यामि घोरम् । वचदश्षेदेतन्न करिष्यसे मे प्राहैतदेतावदचिन्त्यकर्मा
vyāsa uvāca | bṛhaspatiṃ yājakaṃ tvaṃ vṛṇīṣva vajraṃ vā te prahariṣyāmi ghoraṃ | vacaś ced etan na kariṣyase me prāha etāvad acintyakarmā ||
व्यास म्हणाले—अचिन्त्यकर्मा इंद्र म्हणाला—“राजन्, आपल्या यज्ञासाठी बृहस्पतीला पुरोहित म्हणून निवडा. माझे वचन न मानल्यास मी तुमच्यावर भयंकर वज्रप्रहार करीन.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between rightful ritual order (appointing a qualified priest like Bṛhaspati) and the problematic use of force to secure compliance. It invites reflection on dharma: correct action in sacrifice should ideally arise from discernment and duty, not fear.
Vyāsa reports Indra addressing a king, commanding him to appoint Bṛhaspati as the sacrificial priest. Indra adds a threat: if the king refuses, Indra will strike him with the thunderbolt.