Shloka 50
Vṛtra’s Cosmic Threat, Viṣṇu’s Upāya, and the Conditional Vulnerability
Udyoga-parva 10
दिवि देवर्षयश्चापि देवराजविनाकृता: । न सम कश्चन देवानां राज्ये वै कुरुते मतिम्,सम्पूर्ण जगत्में अराजकताके कारण भारी उपद्रव होने लगे। स्वर्गमें देवराज इन्द्रके न होनेसे देवता तथा देवर्षि भी भयभीत होकर सोचने लगे--“अब हमारा राजा कौन होगा?' देवताओंमेंसे कोई भी स्वर्गका राजा बननेका विचार नहीं करता था
divi devarṣayaś cāpi devarāja-vinākṛtāḥ | na samaḥ kaścana devānāṃ rājye vai kurute matim ||
Śalya berkata: Di syurga juga, para resi dewa—tanpa raja para dewa—terjerumus dalam ketidakpastian. Tiada satu pun dewa menganggap dirinya setara dengan beban itu, dan tiada yang menetapkan tekad untuk memegang kedaulatan alam kayangan.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate sovereignty is a dharmic responsibility, not a prize. When the rightful ruler is absent, even capable beings hesitate to claim authority, recognizing that unfit or self-appointed rule can lead to disorder and moral peril.
Śalya describes a situation in heaven where Indra is absent; the gods and divine seers become anxious and none among the gods is willing to decide to take up the kingship, highlighting the vacuum of leadership and fear of ensuing chaos.