Shloka 143
Puruṣaikatva-vyākhyāna: The One Virāṭ Puruṣa and the Many ‘Puruṣas’
Rudra–Brahmā Saṃvāda
ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थ॑ देवपक्षार्थवादिनम् । यह सुनकर वे सभी सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी ऋषि कुपित हो उठे और विमानपर बैठकर देवपक्षकी बात कहनेवाले वसुसे बोले--
ūcur vasuṃ vimānasthaṃ devapakṣārthavādinam |
ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थं देवपक्षार्थवादिनम्। श्रुत्वैतद् रविसंकाशा ऋषयः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः; विमानस्थं वसुं प्रति देवपक्षे स्थितं तं समभाषन्त।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between partisan advocacy and adherence to dharma as understood by the wise: taking a factional stance (even for the gods) can invite censure when it conflicts with principled judgment and the moral authority of sages.
After hearing Vasu’s words, the sun-bright sages become angry and address him directly. Vasu is described as seated in a vimana and as one who is arguing for the gods’ side, setting up a confrontation between his factional argument and the sages’ response.