Shloka 3
Adhyāya 223: Nāradasya Guṇa-kathana
Catalogue of Nārada’s Virtues
पितामहमुपागम्य प्रणिपत्य कृताउज्जलि: । सवनिवासुरान् जित्वा बलिं पप्रच्छ वासव:
pitāmaham upāgamya praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ | sa-vanivāsurān jitvā baliṁ papraccha vāsavaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Noong minsan, matapos talunin ni Indra (Vāsava) ang mga Asura kasama ang kanilang mga kapanalig at mga umaasa sa kanila, lumapit siya sa Matandang Ama na si Brahmā. Yumukod siya nang may paggalang, magkahawak ang mga palad, at nagtanong: ‘Mapalad na Panginoon, saan nananahan si Bali?’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after success, one should remain humble and seek guidance from a higher, wiser authority. Indra’s folded-hands inquiry to Brahmā models disciplined victory—power tempered by reverence and the pursuit of right knowledge.
Indra, having defeated the Asuras, goes to Brahmā (the Pitāmaha) and respectfully asks where Bali is residing. The verse sets up a consultation with Brahmā about Bali’s whereabouts and, implicitly, about the proper course of action after victory.