Shloka 42
वेन-पृथु-प्रादुर्भावः, राजधर्मः, पृथिवीदोहनम्
Vena–Pṛthu Episode and the Milking of Earth
सत्पुत्रेण च जातेन वेनो ऽपि त्रिदिवं ययौ पुन्नाम्नो नरकात् त्रातः स तेन सुमहात्मना
satputreṇa ca jātena veno 'pi tridivaṃ yayau punnāmno narakāt trātaḥ sa tena sumahātmanā
Und weil ihm ein rechtschaffener Sohn geboren wurde, gelangte selbst Vena in die himmlischen Welten. Aus der Hölle namens Punnāma wurde er durch jenen großherzigen Sohn erlöst.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Concept: Righteous progeny and dharmic action can uplift even a fallen forebear, illustrating the transgenerational efficacy of karma and pitṛ-obligations.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Honor ancestors through responsible living, gratitude, and (where culturally appropriate) śrāddha/charity; prioritize dharma so one’s life becomes a support for family and society.
Vishishtadvaita: Merit operates within the Lord-governed moral order (niyati); grace and law are not opposed—deliverance is mediated through dharmic means.
Dharma Exemplar: Putra-dharma (filial piety through righteous conduct and rites)
Key Kings: Vena, Pṛthu (Vainya)
FAQs
This verse uses Punnāma as a doctrinal image for the consequences of adharma, while also asserting that ancestral deliverance can occur through the merit and righteousness of a worthy son (here, Pṛthu).
In the Parāśara–Maitreya dialogue, Parāśara frames royal history as moral instruction: even a fallen king (Vena) can be lifted when dharma re-enters the lineage through an exemplary successor.
Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the narrative arc aligns with Vaishnava providence: dharmic order and rightful sovereignty are restored through a divinely sanctioned ruler (Pṛthu), reflecting Vishnu’s overarching governance of cosmic and social order.