Shloka 48
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
इन्द्र बोले--भगवन्! मैंने लोभवश कमलोंको नहीं लिया था। आपलोगोंके मुखसे धर्मकी बातें सुनना चाहता था
indra uvāca—bhagavan! mayā lobhavaśaḥ kamalāni na gṛhītāni. yuṣmākaṁ mukhāt dharmakathāḥ śrotum icchann eva etāni kamalāni apahṛtavān. ataḥ adya mayā yuṣmākaṁ mukhāt sa āṛṣaḥ sanātano dharmaḥ śrutaḥ yaḥ nityaḥ avikārī anāmayaḥ ca saṁsārasāgarāt pāraṁ netuṁ setuvat. anena dharmaśrutīnāṁ utkarṣaḥ siddhaḥ.
因陀罗说道：“尊者啊，我并非因贪欲而取走这些莲花。我夺取它们，只因渴望从诸位口中亲闻法义。今日我确已听得那由诸仙宣说的古老永恒之法——恒常不变、无病无恼，如同一座桥，能载人渡过世间生死之海。由此，关于法的圣教之卓越与至上，得以印证。”
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that true dharma, taught by the sages, is timeless and transformative—like a bridge across saṁsāra—and that hearing dharma directly from the wise is itself a supreme good. It also highlights ethical scrutiny of intention: Indra claims his act was not greed-driven but aimed at gaining dharma-instruction.
Indra addresses the sage (Agastya), explaining why he took the lotuses. He confesses the act, denies greed as the motive, and states that the seizure was a means to prompt a dharma-discourse. He then affirms that he has now heard the ancient, rishi-taught dharma and praises its power to carry one beyond worldly existence.