Shloka 17
इन्द्र रवाच अस्माभिरननिन्दितावेतौ भवेतां सोमपौ कथम् | देवैर्न सम्मितावेतौ तस्मान्मैवं वदस्व न:
indra uvāca—asmābhir ananinditāv etau bhavetāṃ somapau katham | devair na sammitāv etau tasmān maivaṃ vadasva naḥ ||
因陀罗说道：“无瑕者啊，这二位曾为我等所非议；既如此，他们怎能有资格饮苏摩？他们并不被视为与诸神同等。故而，莫再为他们向我等如此进言。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the idea of adhikāra (eligibility) in ritual contexts and how social/divine recognition and perceived merit can be invoked to accept or deny participation. It also shows the ethical weight of speech—Indra asks the interlocutor not to press a claim in a way that challenges established status.
Within Bhīṣma’s narration, Indra is quoted objecting to the Aśvinīkumāras being granted Soma-drinking rights. He argues that since they have been censured and are not regarded as equal to the other gods, they should not be proposed as Soma-drinkers.