Shloka 20
Adhyāya 196: Droṇa’s Conciliatory Counsel and Karṇa’s Suspicion of Counsel (मन्त्र-नय-विवादः)
स तदू विवृत्य विवरं महागिरे- स्तुल्यब्ुतींश्ष॒तुरो5न्यान् ददर्श । स तानभिप्रेक्ष्य बभूव दु:ःखित: कच्चिन्नाहं भविता वै यथेमे,उन्होंने उस महान् पर्वतकी कन्दराका द्वार खोलकर उसमें अपने ही समान तेजस्वी अन्य चार इन्द्रोंको भी देखा। उन्हें देखकर वे बहुत दुखी हुए और सोचने लगे--“कहीं ऐसा तो नहीं होगा कि मैं भी इन्हींके समान दुर्दशामें पड़ जाऊँ”
sa tad u vivṛtya vivaraṃ mahāgireḥ tulyadyutīṃś caturān anyān dadarśa | sa tān abhiprekṣya babhūva duḥkhitaḥ kaccin nāhaṃ bhavitā vai yatheme ||
Vyāsa disse: Tendo aberto a boca daquela caverna na grande montanha, ele viu quatro outros Indras, radiantes como ele. Ao vê-los, ficou aflito e pensou: “Será que eu também acabarei na mesma condição decaída que eles?”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the highest power and glory are not permanent; seeing others who once held the same status fall into misery awakens fear and self-reflection. The ethical thrust is humility and careful adherence to dharma, recognizing that pride and complacency can lead to decline.
A figure opens a cavern in a great mountain and discovers four other Indras, equally radiant. The sight shocks him into sorrow and anxiety, wondering if he too will suffer the same fate—an episode framed by Vyāsa’s narration.