Shloka 1
मैत्रेय उवाच विजिताश्वोऽधिराजासीत्पृथुपुत्र: पृथुश्रवा: । यवीयोभ्योऽददात्काष्ठा भ्रातृभ्यो भ्रातृवत्सल: ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvāca vijitāśvo ’dhirājāsīt pṛthu-putraḥ pṛthu-śravāḥ yavīyobhyo ’dadāt kāṣṭhā bhrātṛbhyo bhrātṛ-vatsalaḥ
Maitreya said: Vijitāśva, Pṛthu’s son named Pṛthuśravā, became emperor. Affectionate to his brothers, he allotted them various quarters to govern.
After describing the life and character of Mahārāja Pṛthu in the previous chapter, the great sage Maitreya began to speak about the sons and grandsons in the genealogical line of the Pṛthu dynasty. After the death of Mahārāja Pṛthu, his eldest son, Vijitāśva, became emperor of the world. King Vijitāśva was very affectionate toward his younger brothers, and therefore he wanted them to rule different directions of the world. From time immemorial the eldest son generally becomes king after the death of the previous king. When the Pāṇḍavas ruled the earth, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, the eldest son of King Pāṇḍu, became emperor, and his younger brothers assisted him. Similarly, King Vijitāśva’s younger brothers were appointed to govern the different directions of the world.
FAQs
This verse highlights a key royal virtue—fairness and brotherly affection—shown by Emperor Vijitāśva, who responsibly apportioned territories to his younger brothers.
Maitreya speaks, continuing the narration of King Pṛthu’s lineage and describing how Pṛthu’s son Vijitāśva ruled as emperor and organized the kingdom among his brothers.
Practice dharma in leadership and family life by sharing resources fairly, avoiding envy, and protecting relationships through responsible, transparent decisions.