Shloka 16
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं भगवंस्तद् ब्रवीहि मे । त्वं बन्धुभूतो हास्माकं क्षत्रियाणां सुरेश्वर,भगवन! सुरेश्वर! यह मैं सुनना चाहता हूँ। आप मुझे यह सब बताइये; क्योंकि आप ही हम क्षत्रियोंके बन्धु हैं
etad icchāmy ahaṃ śrotuṃ bhagavaṃs tad bravīhi me | tvaṃ bandhubhūto hāsmākaṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ sureśvara ||
اے بھگون، اے سُرَیشور! میں یہی سننا چاہتا ہوں—آپ مجھے بتائیے۔ آپ ہی ہم کشتریوں کے بندھو اور نگہبان ہیں۔
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical instruction as legitimate when sought with humility: Indra requests teaching and grounds the request in a relationship of duty and protection—Indra as the traditional patron of Kshatriya power—so that guidance on dharma and rulership is received as responsible counsel, not mere curiosity.
Indra, as the speaker, asks a revered interlocutor to explain a topic he wishes to understand. He urges the teacher to speak plainly, emphasizing Indra’s special bond with the Kshatriya class and thus his stake in hearing guidance relevant to warrior-kings and governance.