Shloka 21
अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
पितामहमुपागम्य शिरसा प्रत्यपूजयत् । भरतभूषण! ब्रह्महत्याने देवराज इन्द्रको अपना बंदी बना ही लिया। वे उसी अवस्थामें ब्रह्माजीके पास गये और मस्तक झुकाकर उन्होंने ब्रह्माजीको प्रणाम किया ।। ज्ञात्वा गृहीतं शक्रं स द्विजप्रवरवध्यया
pitāmaham upāgamya śirasā pratyapūjayat | jñātvā gṛhītaṃ śakraṃ sa dvijapravaravadhyayā ||
ତାପରେ ସେ ପିତାମହ ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଯାଇ ମସ୍ତକ ନମାଇ ସମ୍ମାନରେ ପ୍ରଣାମ କଲେ। ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣବଧର କାରଣରେ ଶକ୍ର ଧରାପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ଜାଣି, ସେ ଦୀନଭାବରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ଶରଣକୁ ଗଲେ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral accountability: even Indra is constrained by the consequences of brahmahatyā (the grave sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa). Proper response to wrongdoing is humility, reverence toward higher wisdom (Brahmā), and seeking a righteous remedy rather than relying on power or status.
Indra (Śakra), having been seized/held due to the sin arising from killing a foremost Brāhmaṇa, approaches Brahmā (Pitāmaha). He bows his head and offers respectful homage, indicating submission and a request for guidance or resolution.