Shloka 31
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
एष किं निभृताशेषकरणो मीलितेक्षण: । मृषासमाधिराहोस्वित्किं नु स्यात्क्षत्रबन्धुभि: ॥ ३१ ॥
eṣa kiṁ nibhṛtāśeṣa- karaṇo mīlitekṣaṇaḥ mṛṣā-samādhir āhosvit kiṁ nu syāt kṣatra-bandhubhiḥ
After returning, he argued within himself: was the sage truly in meditation, senses withdrawn and eyes closed, or was he merely feigning trance to avoid receiving a lesser kṣatriya?
The King, being a devotee of the Lord, did not approve of his own action, and thus he began to wonder whether the sage was really in a trance or was just pretending in order to avoid receiving the King, who was a kṣatriya and therefore lower in rank. Repentance comes in the mind of a good soul as soon as he commits something wrong. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura and Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī do not believe that the King’s action was due to his past misdeeds. The arrangement was so made by the Lord just to call the King back home, back to Godhead.
FAQs
This verse uses the phrase “mṛṣā-samādhi” to express suspicion of outward displays of trance, highlighting how ignorance and envy can misjudge genuine spiritual absorption.
Out of pride and immaturity, they insulted Mahārāja Parīkṣit as unworthy of the kṣatriya order, misreading the situation with Śamīka Ṛṣi and escalating the offense that led to the curse narrative.
Suspend judgment, avoid harsh speech, and assume sincerity—because misinterpretation fueled by ego can lead to serious aparādha (offense) and spiritual harm.