Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 58
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
मध्ये त्रिदशवर्गस्य देवराज: शतक्रतुः । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं बृहस्पतिमनुत्तमम्
madhye tridaśa-vargasya devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ | uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ bṛhaspatim anuttamam ||
在三十三天众神的会中，释迦罗——因陀罗，诸天之王，以百祭著称——以柔和悦耳之言，向无上之师布里哈斯帕提开口。
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical communication and humility: even Indra, the lord of the gods, approaches the highest teacher (Bṛhaspati) with sweet and respectful speech, implying that authority should be guided by reverence for wisdom and disciplined words.
Indra (Śakra), seated among the gathered gods, begins speaking to Bṛhaspati. The verse functions as a narrative transition into counsel or instruction delivered in a formal assembly setting.