Shloka 19
Ṛṣabhadeva’s Enthronement, Exemplary Household Life, and the Birth of Bharata and the Nine Yogendras
स कदाचिदटमानो भगवानृषभो ब्रह्मावर्तगतो ब्रह्मर्षिप्रवरसभायां प्रजानां निशामयन्तीनामात्मजानवहितात्मन: प्रश्रयप्रणयभरसुयन्त्रितानप्युपशिक्षयन्निति होवाच ॥ १९ ॥
sa kadācid aṭamāno bhagavān ṛṣabho brahmāvarta-gato brahmarṣi-pravara-sabhāyāṁ prajānāṁ niśāmayantīnām ātmajān avahitātmanaḥ praśraya-praṇaya-bhara-suyantritān apy upaśikṣayann iti hovāca.
Once, while touring the world, Bhagavān Ṛṣabhadeva came to Brahmāvarta, where an august assembly of foremost brahmarṣis was convened and the citizens listened. There He instructed His sons—already humble, affectionate, and well qualified—so that they might one day rule the world flawlessly; thus He spoke.
The instructions of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva to His sons are very valuable if one wants to live peacefully within this world, which is full of miseries. In the next chapter, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva gives His sons these valuable instructions.
FAQs
This verse highlights that Ṛṣabhadeva’s sons were attentive, self-controlled, and guided by humility and affectionate reverence—showing that genuine learning in bhakti begins with disciplined senses and a humble heart before the teacher and the Lord.
Even though they were already restrained and respectful, Ṛṣabhadeva continued instructing them to deepen their realization—indicating that spiritual education is progressive and meant to mature into steady devotion and detachment.
Cultivate “avahita-ātmanā”—focused attention—when hearing sacred teachings, and practice “praśraya”—humility—toward genuine wisdom; consistent, respectful hearing and self-restraint make spiritual growth steady even amid a busy life.