Shloka 30
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
सोऽयं ब्रह्मर्षिवर्यस्ते राजर्षिप्रवराद् विभो । कथमर्हति धर्मज्ञ वधं पितुरिवात्मज: ॥ ३० ॥
so ’yaṁ brahmarṣi-varyas te rājarṣi-pravarād vibho katham arhati dharma-jña vadhaṁ pitur ivātmajaḥ
My lord, you are completely aware of the religious principles. As a son never deserves to be killed by his father, here is a brāhmaṇa who should be protected by the king, and never killed. How does he deserve to be killed by a rājarṣi like you?
The word rājarṣi refers to a king who behaves like a ṛṣi, or sage. Such a king is also called naradeva because he is considered a representative of the Supreme Lord. Because his duty is to rule the kingdom to maintain brahminical culture, he never desires to kill a brāhmaṇa. Generally, a brāhmaṇa, woman, child, old man or cow is never regarded as punishable. Thus the wife of the brāhmaṇa requested the King to refrain from this sinful act.
FAQs
This verse condemns the very idea—stating that an exalted brāhmaṇa sage, especially one connected to a noble lineage, is not fit to be killed, and such violence violates dharma.
It highlights the unnatural, irreligious nature of the act: harming a saintly brāhmaṇa is portrayed as as shocking and adharmic as a father killing his own child.
Respect the spiritually learned and avoid harm driven by anger or power; when conflict arises, choose dharmic restraint and seek justice without cruelty.