Indra Guards a Dry Bone from a Lion
Bala Kanda, Doha 125
Doha 125 · Movement 2 of 2
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Shiva gives Indra's fear the shape of a stark woodland image. A foolish dog sees a lion approaching and runs with a dry bone clenched between its teeth. The lion has no hunger for that worthless scrap, yet the dog imagines its treasure desired and flees in panic.
So Indra guards the pleasures and rank of heaven. Narada's tapasya is vast as a lion, but the king of the gods sees only a rival coming to seize what he holds. Possession makes his own fear appear reasonable.
There is no dignity left in the retreat. Indra feels no shame before the power of austerity because insecurity has already narrowed his sight to the bone in his mouth.
The lion passes in majesty while Indra runs with heaven clenched like a dry bone.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुख हाड़ लै भाग सठ स्वान निरखि मृगराज। छीनि लेइ जनि जान जड़ तिमि सुरपतिहि न लाज।।125।।
Like a foolish dog who, upon seeing a lion, runs away clutching a dry bone, afraid the lion will snatch it. Just so, Indra feels no shame in fleeing from the power of tapasya.