Shloka 13
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
वातापिरिल्वलश्नैव त्रिशिराश्न तथा विभो,प्रभो! वातापि, इल्वल, त्रिशिरा तथा सुन्द-उपसुन्द नामक असुर भी कार्यकौशलसे ही मारे गये हैं। क्रियात्मक उपायोंसे ही इन्द्र स्वर्गका राज्य भोगते हैं
Vātāpir Ilvalaś caiva Triśirāś ca tathā vibho, prabho! Vātāpi, Ilvala, Triśirā tathā Sunda-Upasunda-nāmaka asurā api kārya-kauśalenaiva mārāḥ. Kriyātmaka-upāyaiḥ eva Indraḥ svargasya rājyaṃ bhuṅkte.
风神伐由说道：“伟大的主宰啊！瓦塔毗与伊尔瓦罗，三首者特里希罗亦然，乃至名为孙陀与优婆孙陀的阿修罗，也都是唯凭娴熟而切实的手段才被击倒。诚然，正是凭借有效的行动与审时度势的谋略，因陀罗方能继续在天界享受并维系其王权。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that success against powerful adversaries and the maintenance of rightful sovereignty depend on upāya—skillful, practical, action-oriented methods—rather than mere force or wishful thinking. Ethical governance and protection require competence and timely strategy.
Vāyu cites well-known examples of formidable asuras—Vātāpi, Ilvala, Triśiras, and the brothers Sunda and Upasunda—who were defeated through effective stratagems. He then generalizes the point: Indra’s continued rule in Svarga is sustained by such practical measures.