Shloka 24
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
तपस्यामें संलग्न हो मतंगने देवताओंको संतप्त कर दिया। वह भलीभाँति तपस्या करके सुखसे ही ब्राह्मणत्वरूपी अभीष्ट स्थानको प्राप्त करना चाहता था ।।
tapasā saṃlagno matango devatāḥ saṃtāpayām āsa | sa su-tapasā sukhenāiva brāhmaṇatva-rūpam abhīṣṭa-sthānaṃ prāptum aicchat || taṃ tathā tapasā yuktam uvāca harivāhanaḥ | “mataṅga, tapasya se kiṃ tvaṃ bhogān utsṛjya mānuṣān?” ||
Absorvido na austeridade, Mataṅga causou aflição aos deuses pelo poder de sua penitência. Por meio de um tapas bem disciplinado, buscava alcançar—sem violência nem engano—o estado desejado de brahmanidade (brahminhood). Vendo-o assim firme na prática ascética, Indra, o senhor que monta o corcel divino, disse: “Mataṅga, por que praticas austeridades, abandonando os prazeres humanos?”
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas as a morally focused means of self-transformation: intense discipline can challenge even the gods, and true aspiration is framed as seeking a higher ethical-spiritual state rather than mere worldly enjoyment.
Matanga performs powerful austerities aiming to attain brahminhood. His penance troubles the gods, prompting Indra (Harivāhana) to approach and question why he has renounced ordinary human pleasures to pursue tapas.