Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 138
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
तस्मादस्म्यागतो विप्रा वासवं मां निबोधत । अलोभादक्षया लोकाः: प्राप्ता वै सार्वकामिका:
tasmād asmy āgato viprā vāsavaṃ māṃ nibodhata | alobhād akṣayā lokāḥ prāptā vai sārvakāmikāḥ ||
“Kaya ako naparito (sa inyo), O mga brāhmaṇa; kilalanin ninyo ako bilang si Vāsava (Indra). Sa pagtalikod sa kasakiman, tunay na nakakamtan ang mga daigdig na di-nasisira—na nagbibigay ng katuparan ng lahat ng ninanais.”
शुन:सख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that alobha—freedom from greed and grasping—is a decisive ethical virtue that leads to enduring (akṣaya) spiritual reward, described as imperishable realms that can fulfill all legitimate aspirations.
Śunaḥsakha addresses a group of brāhmaṇas and reveals his identity as Vāsava (Indra). He explains that his appearance and message are tied to praising non-greed, asserting that such restraint is the cause by which one attains imperishable heavenly worlds.