Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 59
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
तत्पश्चात् देवराज शतक्रतु इन्द्रने देवमण्डलीके बीचमें अपने सर्वश्रेष्ठ गुरु बृहस्पतिजीसे मधुर वाणीमें कहा-- ।।
tatpaścāt devarājaḥ śatakratur indraḥ devamāṇḍalīke madhye svasyāgraṇyaṃ guruṃ bṛhaspatim madhurayā vācā uvāca— dharmaguhāṃ tu bhagavan mānuṣāṇāṃ sukhāvahām | sa-rahasyāś ca ye doṣās tān yathāvad udīraya ||
Pagkatapos nito, si Indra—hari ng mga diyos, bantog sa sandaang paghahandog—ay nagsalita sa gitna ng kapulungan ng mga deva sa kanyang pinakadakilang guro na si Bṛhaspati, sa malumanay na tinig: “O Mapalad, ipaliwanag mo nang wasto at sunod-sunod ang mga lihim na kalaliman ng dharma na nagdudulot ng kaligayahan sa mga tao, at gayundin ang mga pagkukulang na sumisibol kasama ng mga hiwagang iyon.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is subtle and has a ‘hidden’ dimension that can promote human well-being, but it also contains pitfalls when treated as mere secret technique or when its subtleties are misunderstood. Indra asks for a careful, orderly exposition of both the inner principles and the possible defects.
In the divine assembly, Indra (Śakra) respectfully approaches his guru Bṛhaspati and requests guidance: to explain the deep, concealed nature of dharma that benefits humans, and to identify the associated faults and dangers, including those connected with esoteric or confidential aspects.