Shloka 203
Pūjya-namaskārya-prakaraṇa
On Those Worthy of Honor and Salutation
यदि ते5हमनुग्राह्म: किंचिद् वा सुकृतं मम । धर्मज्ञ देवराज! यदि ऐसी अवस्थामें मैं आपका कृपापात्र हूँ अथवा यदि मेरा कुछ भी पुण्य शेष हो तो आप मुझे वर प्रदान कीजिये
yadi te 'ham anugrāhyaḥ kiñcid vā sukṛtaṃ mama | dharmajña devarāja ||
Matanga berkata: “Jika aku layak menerima belas ihsanmu, atau jika masih berbaki sedikit pun pahala kebajikanku, maka, wahai yang mengetahui dharma, wahai raja para dewa, kurniakanlah kepadaku satu anugerah.”
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical logic of boons and divine favor in the Mahabharata: grace is sought not as entitlement but as something grounded in humility and whatever residual merit (sukṛta/puṇya) one has earned through right conduct.
Matanga addresses Indra respectfully, acknowledging Indra as a knower of dharma, and petitions him for a boon—arguing that if Matanga is worthy of compassion or has any remaining merit, Indra should grant his request.