Shloka 23

Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)

Devanagari script

ततः स तापयामास विबुधांस्तपसान्वित: । मतड़: सुखसम्प्रेप्सु: स्थानं सुचरितादपि

Transliteration

tataḥ sa tāpayāmāsa vibudhāṁs tapasānvitāḥ | mataṅgaḥ sukhasamprāptsuḥ sthānaṁ sucaritād api ||

Translation

Sesudah itu, Mataṅga—yang diperkasa oleh tapa yang hebat—mula menyesakkan para dewa dengan kekuatan tapasnya. Dia mendambakan suatu keadaan kebahagiaan suci, bahkan melampaui apa yang diperoleh melalui kelakuan baik (sucarita) semata-mata.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereupon

सःhe

तापयामासcaused to be tormented / afflicted

विबुधान्the gods, the wise ones (celestials)

तपसाby austerity, by penance

अन्वितःendowed with, possessed of

मर्त्यःa mortal (man)

सुखसम्प्रेप्सुःdesiring to obtain happiness

स्थानम्a place, a position

सुचरितात्from good conduct / from virtuous deeds

अपिeven, also

Speaker

मतंग उवाच

Characters & Entities

Mataṅga

Vibudhas (Devas/Gods)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse contrasts ordinary virtue (sucarita) with the extraordinary force of tapas: ethical conduct is valuable, yet intense ascetic discipline can be pursued to reach a higher spiritual status—though such pursuit, when driven by strong desire, may create friction even with the gods, raising questions about right intention and the proper use of spiritual power.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mataṅga undertakes severe austerities and, through their potency, begins to trouble the gods. His motive is to obtain a superior state of happiness or status—something he believes lies beyond what good conduct alone can secure.