Shloka 27
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
चिन्तयामास देदवेन्द्रो मन्युनाथ परिप्लुत: । उपकारोअस्य राजर्षे: कृतो नापकृतं मया
cintayāmāsa devendro manyunātha pariplutaḥ | upakāro ’sya rājarṣeḥ kṛto nāpakṛtaṃ mayā ||
毗湿摩说道：“天帝因陀罗被怒火淹没、为嗔恚所驱使，心中思量：‘我对这位王仙所做的只是施益，并未加害于他。’”这一念头显出一种道德上的自我辩护——因陀罗将自己的作为称作“帮助”而非“伤害”，即便在见他人同心而兴盛时，怨愤仍在滋长。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger can distort moral judgment: one may rationalize one’s conduct as ‘help’ (upakāra) and deny any ‘harm’ (apakṛta), even when the surrounding context suggests resentment and conflict. It cautions against self-serving ethical narratives formed under the sway of manyu (wrath).
Bhīṣma narrates that Indra, seeing the situation and becoming overwhelmed with anger, internally reflects that he has only benefited a certain royal sage and has not wronged him. The line captures Indra’s emotional state and his attempt to justify his role in the unfolding events.