Shloka 26
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
सहिता भ्रातरस्ते5थ राज्यं बुभुजिरे तदा । तान् दृष्टवा भ्रातृभावेन भुज्जानान् राज्यमुत्तमम्
sahitā bhrātaras te ’tha rājyaṃ bubhujire tadā | tān dṛṣṭvā bhrātṛbhāvena bhuñjānān rājyam uttamam |
भीष्म उवाच—ततः ते भ्रातरः सहिता एकीभूय तदा राज्यं सम्यग् बुभुजिरे च शशासुश्च। तान् भ्रातृभावेनैकत्र वसतः सह राज्यं परमं भुञ्जानान् दृष्ट्वा देवराज इन्द्रः क्रोधेन परिप्लुतोऽचिन्तयत्—‘मया तु अस्य राजर्षेरुपकार एव कृतः; न किञ्चिदपकारः कृतो मया।’
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Shared rule grounded in bhrātṛbhāva (brotherly solidarity) is portrayed as a high ethical ideal in governance; the episode also warns that even apparent virtue can provoke envy or resentment, especially when power and prestige are involved.
A group of brothers jointly enjoy/administrate an excellent kingdom in harmony. Observing this unity, Indra becomes angry and thinks he has only helped the royal sage and has not harmed him—setting up a conflict driven by Indra’s reaction to their flourishing.