Shloka 23
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
ततः स तापयामास विबुधांस्तपसान्वित: । मतड़: सुखसम्प्रेप्सु: स्थानं सुचरितादपि
tataḥ sa tāpayāmāsa vibudhāṁs tapasānvitāḥ | mataṅgaḥ sukhasamprāptsuḥ sthānaṁ sucaritād api ||
Pagkaraan, si Mataṅga—na puspos ng matinding pag-aaske—ay nagsimulang magpahirap sa mga diyos sa lakas ng kanyang tapas. Hinangad niyang marating ang kalagayang mapalad, maging higit pa sa natatamo sa pamamagitan ng mabuting asal (sucarita) lamang.
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts ordinary virtue (sucarita) with the extraordinary force of tapas: ethical conduct is valuable, yet intense ascetic discipline can be pursued to reach a higher spiritual status—though such pursuit, when driven by strong desire, may create friction even with the gods, raising questions about right intention and the proper use of spiritual power.
Mataṅga undertakes severe austerities and, through their potency, begins to trouble the gods. His motive is to obtain a superior state of happiness or status—something he believes lies beyond what good conduct alone can secure.