Shloka 17
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
एवमुक्तो द्विजैर्ज्येष्ठं छन्दयामास सोऽब्रवीत् । तन्मन्त्रिप्रहितैर्विप्रैर्वेदाद् विभ्रंशितो गिरा ॥ १६ ॥ वेदवादातिवादान् वै तदा देवो ववर्ष ह । देवापिर्योगमास्थाय कलापग्राममाश्रित: ॥ १७ ॥
evam ukto dvijair jyeṣṭhaṁ chandayām āsa so ’bravīt tan-mantri-prahitair viprair vedād vibhraṁśito girā
Als die Brāhmaṇas dies sagten, ging Mahārāja Śāntanu in den Wald und bat seinen älteren Bruder Devāpi, die Last des Reiches zum Schutz der Untertanen zu übernehmen. Doch auf Anstiften des Ministers brachten einige Brāhmaṇas Devāpi dazu, von den vedischen Geboten abzuweichen; er schmähete die Veden und nahm den Thron nicht an. So wurde Śāntanu erneut König, und Indra, zufrieden, ließ Regen fallen. Später beschritt Devāpi den Pfad des Yoga und zog nach Kalāpagrāma, wo er noch weilt.
FAQs
This verse shows that when speech and policy drift from Vedic authority into excessive argumentation, social order is disturbed—symbolized here by the disruption of rain and prosperity.
The narrative states that Devāpi withdrew from political conflict and adopted yoga, residing in Kalāpa, indicating renunciation and spiritual discipline when dharma in governance was undermined.
The verse encourages aligning one’s decisions and speech with authentic, time-tested principles and avoiding ego-driven debate—supporting harmony, clarity, and responsible leadership.