Shloka 2
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
मृषाधर्मस्य भार्यासीद्दम्भं मायां च शत्रुहन् । असूत मिथुनं तत्तु निऋर्तिर्जगृहेऽप्रज: ॥ २ ॥
mṛṣādharmasya bhāryāsīd dambhaṁ māyāṁ ca śatru-han asūta mithunaṁ tat tu nirṛtir jagṛhe ’prajaḥ
Another son of Brahmā was Mṛṣādharma (Irreligion), whose wife was Mṛṣā (Falsity). From their union were born two asuras, Dambha (Bluffing) and Māyā (Cheating). A childless asura named Nirṛti took them in.
It is understood herein that Adharma, Irreligion, was also a son of Brahmā, and he married his sister Mṛṣā. This is the beginning of sex life between brother and sister. This unnatural combination of sex life can be possible in human society only where there is Adharma, or Irreligion. It is understood that in the beginning of creation Brahmā created not only saintly sons like Sanaka, Sanātana and Nārada but also demoniac offspring like Nirṛti, Adharma, Dambha and Falsity. Everything was created by Brahmā in the beginning. Regarding Nārada, it is understood that because his previous life was very pious and his association very good, he was born as Nārada. Others were also born in their own capacities, according to their backgrounds. The law of karma continues birth after birth, and when there is a new creation, the same karma comes back with the living entities. They are born in different capacities according to karma even though their father is originally Brahmā, who is the exalted qualitative incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse personifies false religiosity (mṛṣā-dharma) as giving rise to hypocrisy (dambha) and deceit (māyā), which culminate in ruin (nirṛti), teaching that pretended dharma leads to spiritual and moral downfall.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing the symbolic genealogy of irreligious qualities.
Avoid performative spirituality and dishonest conduct; cultivate sincerity, truthfulness, and transparent devotion so that one’s practice does not degrade into hypocrisy that brings inner unrest and ruin.