Shloka 21
Parāśara’s Counsel on बुद्धि (Discernment), Karma-Consequences, and Avoidance of Pāpānubandha Actions
तस्य वृत्रार्दितस्याथ मोह आसीच्छतक्रतो: । रथन्तरेण तं तत्र वसिष्ठ: समबोधयत्
tasya vṛtrārditasyātha moha āsīc chatakratoḥ | rathantareṇa taṃ tatra vasiṣṭhaḥ samabodhayat, kuruśreṣṭha |
Bhīṣma berkata: “Ketika Indra, pembunuh seratus musuh, ditindas oleh Vṛtra, maka delusi menyelubunginya. Lalu, wahai yang terbaik di kalangan Kuru, Vasiṣṭha menyedarkan dan meneguhkannya di sana dengan Rathantara Sāman.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the powerful can fall into moha (loss of discernment) under pressure; restoration comes through wise guidance and disciplined sacred practice (here, Vasiṣṭha’s use of the Rathantara Sāman), which reorients the mind toward clarity and dharmic action.
Indra, distressed by the conflict with Vṛtra, becomes mentally overwhelmed. The sage Vasiṣṭha then employs the Rathantara Sāman to awaken and steady Indra, enabling him to regain composure and right judgment.