ततो भयेन महता पलायनपरोऽभवत् १५.
Then, out of great fear, he became intent on fleeing.
यतो धावति साऽधावत्तिष्ठंतमनुतिष्ठति आयाति तावत्सहसा इंद्रोऽप्यप्सु न्यमज्जत॥ १५.
Wherever he ran, she pursued; when he stood, she stood; as he went, so swiftly did she approach, and Indra plunged into the waters.
शीघ्रत्वेन यथा विप्राश्चिरंतनजलेचरः॥ १५.
With great speed, just as the Brahmins, for a long time, dwell in the waters.
एवं दिव्यशतं पूर्णं वर्षाणां च शचीपतेः अराजकं तदा जातं नाकपृष्ठे भयावहम्॥ १५.
Thus, for a full divine hundred years, for the lord of Shachi, there was no king; at that time, on the summit of heaven, fear prevailed.
तदा चिंतान्विता देवा ऋषयोऽपि तपस्विनः १५.
Then, the gods became filled with anxiety, and so did the sages who practiced austerities.
एकोऽपि ब्रह्महा यत्र राष्ट्रे वसति निर्भयः १५.
Where even a single Brahmin-killer dwells in a kingdom without fear—
राजा पापयुतो यस्मिन्राष्ट्रे वसति तत्र वै १५.
Where a king attached to sin dwells in a kingdom—
भवंति बहवोऽनर्थाः प्रजानां नाशहेतवे १५.
There, many calamities arise, causing the destruction of the people.
तथा प्रकृतयो राज्ञः शुचजित्वेन प्रतिष्ठिताः नानाविधैर्महातापैः सोपद्रवमभूज्जगत्॥ १५.
In this way, the king’s ministers, established in strict rectitude, caused the world to be afflicted with various severe hardships and disturbances.
अश्वमेधशतेनैव प्राप्तं राज्यं महत्तरम् शक्रस्य च महाभाग यथावत्कथयस्व न॥ १५.
Through a hundred horse sacrifices, a great kingdom was obtained; O illustrious one, tell me properly about the kingdom of Indra.
देवानां दानवानां च मनुष्याणां विशेषतः १५.
Especially concerning the gods, the demons, and the humans.
इन्द्रेण च कृतं विप्रा महद्भूतं जुगुप्सितम् १५.
A great and reprehensible deed was committed by Indra, O sages.
गौतमस्य गुरोः पत्नी सेविता तस्य तत्फलम् १५.
The wife of Gautama, the preceptor, was approached by him, and he received the consequence of that act.
ये हि दृष्कटतकर्म्माणो न कुर्वंति च निष्कृतिम् १५.
Indeed, those who commit sinful acts and do not perform atonement—
दुष्कृतोपार्जितस्या तः प्रायाश्चित्तं हि तत्क्षणात् १५.
For the sin acquired through evil deeds, expiation must be performed immediately.
उपपातकमध्यस्तं महापातकतां व्रजेत्॥ १५.
One who is involved in a secondary offense attains the status of a great sinner.
ततः स्वधर्मनिष्ठां च ये कुर्वंति सदा नराः १५.
Therefore, those men who always adhere to their own duty—
प्राप्नुवंत्युत्तमं लोकं नात्र कार्या विचारणा १५.
They attain the highest world; there is no need for further deliberation here.
स प्रधार्य तदा सर्वे लोकपालास्त्वरान्विताः कथयामासुरव्यग्रा इंद्रस्य च गुरुं प्रति॥ १५.
Then all the guardians of the worlds, accompanied by urgency, deliberated and spoke to the teacher of Indra.
देवैरुक्तं वचो विप्रा निशम्य च बृहस्पतिः १५.
Hearing the words spoken by the gods, Brhaspati—
किं कार्यं चाद्य कर्तव्यं कथं श्रेयो भविष्यति १५.
What should be done today? What action must be taken? How will the best outcome arise?
मनसैव च तत्सर्वं कार्याकार्यं विचार्य च १५.
Mentally considering all that, weighing what should and should not be done—
प्राप्तो जलाशयं तं च यत्रास्ते हि पुरंदरः १५.
He arrived at the lake where Purandara was staying.
तत्रोविष्टास्ते सर्वे देवा ऋषिगणान्विताः १५.
There, all the gods were seated, accompanied by groups of sages.
समुत्थितस्ततः शक्रो ददर्श स्वगुरुं तदा १५.
Then Indra arose and saw his own teacher.
प्रणिपत्य च तत्रत्यान्कृताञ्जलिरभाषत १५.
Having bowed, with joined palms, he spoke to those present there.
स्वयमेव कृतं पूर्वमज्ञानलक्षणं महत् १५.
Previously, the great fault characterized by ignorance was committed by oneself alone.
प्रहस्योवाच भगवान्बृहस्पति रुदारधीः १५.
The venerable Bṛhaspati, of profound intellect, laughed and spoke.
मां च उद्दिश्य भो इंद्र तद्भोगादेव संक्षयः १५.
O Indra, it is precisely because of that enjoyment, referring to me, that destruction has come.
अज्ञानतो हि यज्जातं पापं तस्य प्रतिक्रिया १५.
Indeed, for sin that arises from ignorance, there is a remedy.