Adhyāya 223: Nāradasya Guṇa-kathana
Catalogue of Nārada’s Virtues
यत् तद् यानसहसैस्त्वं ज्ञातिभि: परिवारित: । लोकान् प्रतापयन् सर्वान् यास्यस्मानवितर्कयन्
yat tad yāna-sahasrais tvaṁ jñātibhiḥ parivāritaḥ | lokān pratāpayan sarvān yāsy asmān avitarkayan ||
پہلے تم ہزاروں سواریوں اور اپنے قبیلے کے رشتہ داروں سے گھِرے ہوئے، سب لوگوں کو اپنے رعب و دبدبے سے ستاتے پھرتے تھے، اور ہم دیوتاؤں کو بھی خاطر میں نہ لا کر یوں نکلتے تھے گویا ہمیں سوچنے کی بھی ضرورت نہیں۔
शक्र उवाच
Unchecked power and pride lead to disregard for moral limits and even contempt for higher authority; the verse functions as a rebuke, urging humility and responsible conduct rather than oppressive display of might.
Śakra (Indra) addresses someone who once traveled in great pomp—surrounded by many vehicles and relatives—oppressing people and acting as if the gods were insignificant, highlighting the person’s former arrogance as a point of admonition.