Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 126
Vāsudeva’s Upadeśa: The Inner Enemy and the Indra–Vṛtra Precedent (आत्मशत्रु-बोधः; इन्द्र-वृत्रोपाख्यानम्)
शतक्रतुरतिक्रुद्धस्तत्र वज़्मवासृजत् । वृत्रासुरके द्वारा तेजपर भी अधिकार कर लिया गया और उसके रूप नामक विषयका अपहरण हो गया
śatakratur atikruddhas tatra vajram avāsṛjat |
Wika ni Vāyu: Si Indra (Śatakratu), na nilamon ng matinding poot, ay inihagis doon ang kaniyang vajra. Nang malaman niyang sinakmal ni Vṛtrāsura maging ang ningning at kapangyarihang nakaugnay sa mismong anyo at pangalan niya, at inagaw pa ang larangan ng “anyo” (rūpa), nawalan ng hangganan ang galit ni Śatakratu. Kaya’t muli niyang hinampas si Vṛtra ng vajra—isang gawang udyok ng sugatang paghahari at ng mabangis na pagnanais na maibalik ang kaayusang kosmiko.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wounded authority and fear of losing rightful power can inflame anger, pushing even a ruler toward violent action. Ethically, it points to the tension between restoring order (dharma) and being driven by uncontrolled wrath—suggesting that power must be exercised with restraint, even when confronting a threat.
Vāyu narrates that Indra, furious upon realizing that Vṛtrāsura has usurped or appropriated his splendor/authority (linked to his identity and renown), responds by hurling the vajra at Vṛtra again, escalating the confrontation.