Shloka 49
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
इति पुत्रकृताघेन सोऽनुतप्तो महामुनि: । स्वयं विप्रकृतो राज्ञा नैवाघं तदचिन्तयत् ॥ ४९ ॥
iti putra-kṛtāghena so ’nutapto mahā-muniḥ svayaṁ viprakṛto rājñā naivāghaṁ tad acintayat
Thus the great sage lamented the sin committed by his own son, and he did not regard the King’s insult as something of great consequence.
The whole incident is now cleared up. Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s garlanding the sage with a dead snake was not at all a very serious offense, but Śṛṅgi’s cursing the King was a serious offense. The serious offense was committed by a foolish child only; therefore he deserved to be pardoned by the Supreme Lord, although it was not possible to get free from the sinful reaction. Mahārāja Parīkṣit also did not mind the curse offered to him by a foolish brāhmaṇa. On the contrary, he took full advantage of the awkward situation, and by the great will of the Lord, Mahārāja Parīkṣit achieved the highest perfection of life through the grace of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Actually it was the desire of the Lord, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Ṛṣi Śamīka and his son Śṛṅgi were all instrumental in fulfilling the desire of the Lord. So none of them were put into difficulty because everything was done in relation with the Supreme Person.
FAQs
This verse shows that the great sage, though wronged by the king, did not label the king’s act as sinful—highlighting the elevated virtue of forgiveness and non-vengefulness.
Because Shamika Rishi was self-controlled and spiritually mature; he saw the king’s mistake as circumstantial and minor compared to the grave wrongdoing of his own son’s harsh curse.
When offended, pause before judging intent, avoid escalating conflict, and respond with restraint—especially when the other person acted under stress or misunderstanding.