Shloka 26
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
भार्याशतेन निर्विण्ण ऋषयोऽस्य कृपालव: । इष्टिं स्म वर्तयांचक्रुरैन्द्रीं ते सुसमाहिता: ॥ २६ ॥
bhāryā-śatena nirviṇṇa ṛṣayo ’sya kṛpālavaḥ iṣṭiṁ sma vartayāṁ cakrur aindrīṁ te susamāhitāḥ
Though Yuvanāśva entered the forest with his hundred wives, the king and all the queens were heavy with sorrow. The sages there, compassionate to him, carefully and attentively began an Indra-yajña—the Aindrī iṣṭi—so that the king might be blessed with a son.
One may enter the vānaprastha order of life with his wife, but the vānaprastha order means complete retirement from household life. Although King Yuvanāśva retired from family life, he and his wives were always morose because he had no son.
FAQs
This verse shows that overindulgence—even in lawful household life—can lead to weariness and detachment, and that wise guidance redirects one toward dharmic purification through sacred rites.
Because they were compassionate and saw his distressed condition; being fully composed, they prescribed a Vedic remedy—an Indra-connected iṣṭi—to restore order and auspiciousness according to dharma.
When overwhelmed by responsibilities and pleasures, seek wise counsel and adopt purifying disciplines—prayer, regulated living, and spiritual practice—rather than trying to increase enjoyment as a solution.