Shloka 16
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
एवमुक्तो द्विजैर्ज्येष्ठं छन्दयामास सोऽब्रवीत् । तन्मन्त्रिप्रहितैर्विप्रैर्वेदाद् विभ्रंशितो गिरा ॥ १६ ॥ वेदवादातिवादान् वै तदा देवो ववर्ष ह । देवापिर्योगमास्थाय कलापग्राममाश्रित: ॥ १७ ॥
evam ukto dvijair jyeṣṭhaṁ chandayām āsa so ’bravīt tan-mantri-prahitair viprair vedād vibhraṁśito girā
When the brāhmaṇas spoke thus, Śāntanu went to the forest to persuade his elder brother Devāpi to accept the kingdom. But earlier, Śāntanu’s minister had incited certain brāhmaṇas to make Devāpi violate Vedic injunctions; thus Devāpi strayed, reviled the Vedas, became fallen, and refused the throne. Therefore Śāntanu again became king, and Indra, pleased, sent rain. Later Devāpi took up the path of yoga, restraining mind and senses, and went to the village called Kalāpagrāma, where he still resides.
FAQs
This verse indicates that when one is diverted from Vedic authority—especially by misguided counsel—one’s speech and judgment become distorted, leading to non-Vedic conclusions.
In the narrative, brāhmaṇas—sent under ministerial influence—became instruments in redirecting the younger from Vedic alignment, showing how even religious authority can be misused when guided by politics.
Choose guidance rooted in śāstra and integrity; avoid echo-chambers and self-interested advisors that gradually normalize compromise of core principles.