Mahabharata 3.101.8 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 101, Shloka 8
देव–विष्णु–संवादः । कालेयगणस्य समुद्राश्रयः । अगस्त्योपसर्पणम्
Devas and Viṣṇu on the Kāleyas; Approach to Agastya
तान् दृष्टवा द्रवतो भीतान् सहस्राक्ष: पुरंदर: । वृत्रे विवर्धभाने च कश्मलं महदाविशत्,देवताओंको डरकर भागते देख वृत्रासुरकी प्रगतिका अनुमान करके सहस्र नेत्रोंवाले इन्द्रपर महान् मोह छा गया
tān dṛṣṭvā dravato bhītān sahasrākṣaḥ puraṃdaraḥ | vṛtre vivardhamāne ca kaśmalaṃ mahad āviśat ||
Melihat para dewa lari bertempiaran dalam ketakutan, Indra—bermata seribu, Purandara si pemusnah kota—diselubungi kegoncangan besar pada jiwa dan fikiran; kerana baginda menyedari kekuatan serta kemaraan Vṛtra kian bertambah.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that fear can spread collectively and destabilize even the strongest leader; when an opponent’s strength appears to be rising, one must guard against kaśmala—paralyzing confusion—and return to clear judgment and dharmic resolve.
Indra sees the gods fleeing in fear. Interpreting their flight as a sign that Vṛtra is gaining the upper hand, Indra is overwhelmed by intense bewilderment and despondency.
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