Shloka 11
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
नमन्ति यत्पादनिकेतमात्मन: शिवायहानीय धनानि शत्रव: । कथं स वीर: श्रियमङ्ग दुस्त्यजां युवैषतोत्स्रष्टुमहो सहासुभि: ॥ ११ ॥
namanti yat-pāda-niketam ātmanaḥ śivāya hānīya dhanāni śatravaḥ kathaṁ sa vīraḥ śriyam aṅga dustyajāṁ yuvaiṣatotsraṣṭum aho sahāsubhiḥ
Selbst seine Feinde verneigten sich zum eigenen Heil am Zufluchtsort seiner Füße und übergaben ihren Reichtum. Wie konnte dieser Held, jung und kraftvoll, im Besitz schwer aufzugebender königlicher Pracht, alles hingeben wollen – sogar sein Leben?
There was nothing undesirable in his life. He was quite a young man and could enjoy life with power and opulence. So there was no question of retiring from active life. There was no difficulty in collecting the state taxes because he was so powerful and chivalrous that even his enemies would come to him and bow down at his feet and surrender all wealth for their own benefit. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was a pious king. He conquered his enemies, and therefore the kingdom was full of prosperity. There was enough milk, grains and metals, and all the rivers and mountains were full of potency. So materially everything was satisfactory. Therefore, there was no question of untimely giving up his kingdom and life. The sages were eager to hear about all this.
FAQs
This verse praises the heroic ideal that true dharmic rulers can renounce even hard-to-give-up royal prosperity—and even life itself—when higher duty and spiritual purpose demand it.
The verse indicates the king’s moral authority and auspicious influence: even opponents recognize his greatness and seek their own welfare by honoring him and surrendering wealth.
Use prosperity as a trust, not an identity—be ready to sacrifice comfort, status, or gain when conscience, duty, and devotion require a higher choice.