Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 14
The Six Dvīpas Beyond Jambūdvīpa and the Cosmic Boundary of Lokāloka
तद्द्वीपपति: प्रैयव्रतो राजन् हिरण्यरेता नाम स्वं द्वीपं सप्तभ्य: स्वपुत्रेभ्यो यथाभागं विभज्य स्वयं तप आतिष्ठत वसुवसुदानदृढरुचिनाभिगुप्तस्तुत्यव्रतविविक्तवामदेवनामभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥
tad-dvīpa-patiḥ praiyavrato rājan hiraṇyaretā nāma svaṁ dvīpaṁ saptabhyaḥ sva-putrebhyo yathā-bhāgaṁ vibhajya svayaṁ tapa ātiṣṭhata vasu-vasudāna-dṛḍharuci-nābhigupta-stutyavrata-vivikta-vāmadeva-nāmabhyaḥ.
O King, Hiraṇyaretā, another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, ruled this Kuśadvīpa. He divided the island into seven portions and bestowed them upon his seven sons according to their rightful inheritance. Thereafter he withdrew from household life and took up austerity. The sons were named Vasu, Vasudāna, Dṛḍharuci, Stutyavrata, Nābhigupta, Vivikta, and Vāmadeva.
FAQs
This verse shows Hiraṇyaretā responsibly distributing his kingdom among his sons and then personally taking up austerity, illustrating renunciation after duty (gṛhastha-to-vairāgya progression).
Śukadeva is narrating royal lineages and governance to King Parīkṣit, making the instruction directly relevant to a ruler who must balance administration with spiritual urgency.
Do your responsibilities fairly (share resources, plan succession, avoid exploitation), and cultivate tapas—disciplined spiritual practice and detachment—rather than clinging to control or possessions.