Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 26
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
वृषपर्वा तमाज्ञाय प्रत्यनीकविवक्षितम् । गुरुं प्रसादयन् मूर्ध्ना पादयो: पतित: पथि ॥ २६ ॥
vṛṣaparvā tam ājñāya pratyanīka-vivakṣitam guruṁ prasādayan mūrdhnā pādayoḥ patitaḥ pathi
أدرك الملك ڤِرِشَپَرْڤَا أن شُكْرَآتشاريا قادمٌ ليؤدّبه أو يلعنه. لذلك، قبل أن يبلغ شُكْرَآتشاريا بيته، خرج إلى الطريق وسقط عند قدمي معلّمه واضعًا رأسه، فأوقف غضبه وأرضاه.
FAQs
This verse shows Vṛṣaparvā pacifying his superior by bowing down and falling at his feet, illustrating that humility and sincere repentance are dharmic ways to resolve grave conflict.
He understood that retaliation was imminent—his son-in-law had arrived with an opposing force—so he tried to avert disaster by surrendering his pride and begging pardon.
When tensions escalate, de-escalate through humility—acknowledge fault, approach respected elders or authorities sincerely, and prioritize reconciliation over ego.