Shloka 18
Parāśara’s Counsel on बुद्धि (Discernment), Karma-Consequences, and Avoidance of Pāpānubandha Actions
ततोअनन््तरिक्षमावृत्य वृत्रो धर्मभूतां वर: । अश्मवर्षेण देवेन्द्र समाकिरदतिद्रुतम्,तब धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ वृत्रासुरने आकाशको घेरकर बड़ी उतावलीके साथ देवराज इन्द्रपर पत्थरोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी
tato 'nantaram ākāśam āvṛtya vṛtro dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ | aśmavarṣeṇa devendra samākirad atidrutam ||
Kemudian, menutupi langit, Vṛtra—yang terunggul antara yang berpegang pada dharma—dengan tergesa-gesa menghujani Indra, raja para dewa, dengan hujan batu. Adegan ini menegaskan bahawa bahkan musuh yang digambarkan sebagai dharmik pun dapat bertindak dengan tekad yang garang di medan perang, lalu menajamkan ketegangan moral antara kebenaran dan cara yang ganas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical complexity that a figure described as dharmic (dharmabhūta) may still engage in violent action within a conflict; it invites reflection on how righteousness, intention, and conduct can diverge under the pressures of war.
Vṛtra envelops the sky and rapidly pelts Indra with a barrage of stones, escalating the battle and portraying Vṛtra’s formidable power and urgency.