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 |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Noon, ang magkakapatid na iyon, nagkaisa, ay nagsimulang magsalo sa pamamahala at pag-enjoy sa kaharian. Nang makita ni Indra, panginoon ng mga diyos, na sila’y namumuhay sa diwa ng pagkakapatiran at magkakasamang tinatamasa ang maringal na lupain, napuno siya ng galit at nagmuni: ‘Pawang kabutihan lamang ang ginawa ko sa maharlikang rishí na ito; wala akong ginawang pinsala sa kanya.’”
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.