Shloka 22
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
एवमुक्त: स कौरव्य देवराज्ञा बृहस्पति: । मुहूर्तमिव संचिन्त्य देवराजानमब्रवीत्,कुरुनन्दन! देवराज इन्द्रके ऐसा कहनेपर बृहस्पतिने दो घड़ीतक सोच-विचारकर उन्हें इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया--
evam uktaḥ sa kauravya devarājñā bṛhaspatiḥ | muhūrtam iva sañcintya devarājānam abravīt |
एवमुक्तः स कौरव्य देवराज्ञा बृहस्पतिः । मुहूर्तमिव सञ्चिन्त्य देवराजानमब्रवीत् ॥
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of prudent speech: even a divine teacher like Bṛhaspati pauses to reflect before responding to authority. Thoughtful deliberation is presented as a mark of wisdom and responsible counsel.
Vyāsa narrates that after Indra (the king of the gods) speaks to Bṛhaspati, Bṛhaspati considers the matter briefly and then begins his reply, setting up the counsel that follows in subsequent verses.