Shloka 12
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
देवापि: शान्तनुस्तस्य बाह्लीक इति चात्मजा: । पितृराज्यं परित्यज्य देवापिस्तु वनं गत: ॥ १२ ॥ अभवच्छान्तनू राजा प्राङ्महाभिषसंज्ञित: । यं यं कराभ्यां स्पृशति जीर्णं यौवनमेति स: ॥ १३ ॥
devāpiḥ śāntanus tasya bāhlīka iti cātmajāḥ pitṛ-rājyaṁ parityajya devāpis tu vanaṁ gataḥ
Pratīpa’s sons were Devāpi, Śāntanu, and Bāhlīka. Devāpi renounced his father’s kingdom and went to the forest, and thus Śāntanu became king. Śāntanu, known in a previous birth as Mahābhiṣa, could by the touch of his hands turn old age into youth.
FAQs
This verse states that Devāpi gave up the hereditary throne and chose forest life, highlighting renunciation and detachment from royal power.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates the dynastic history to King Parīkṣit, describing the sons and their paths.
It teaches that status and inheritance are temporary, and that choosing higher values—self-control, simplicity, and spiritual purpose—can be a noble life-direction.