Shloka 21
इन्द्र उवाच अश्रिभ्यां सह सोम॑ वै न पास्यामि द्विजोत्तम । पिबन्त्वन्ये यथाकामं नाहं पातुमिहोत्सहे
indra uvāca: aśribhyāṁ saha somaṁ vai na pāsyāmi dvijottama | pibantv anye yathākāmaṁ nāhaṁ pātum ihotsahe ||
Indra berkata: “Wahai yang terbaik antara kaum dwija, aku pasti tidak akan meminum Soma bersama kedua-dua Aśvin. Biarlah dewa-dewa lain minum sesuka hati; tetapi aku tidak bertekad untuk meminumnya di sini.”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment to status and ritual privilege can obstruct harmony in sacred contexts. It invites reflection on whether exclusion in the name of hierarchy is truly dharmic, especially when the rite is meant to unite participants in a shared sacred act.
Indra addresses a brahmin sage and declares that he will not partake of Soma if the Aśvins are included. He permits other gods to drink if they wish, but personally refuses, signaling a dispute over eligibility and honor within the sacrificial setting.