Shloka 1
नाम चत्वारिंशदुत्तरशततमो ऽध्यायः हरिरुवाच / शतानीको ह्यश्वमेधदत्तश्चाप्यधिसोमकः / कृष्णो ऽनिरुद्धश्चाप्युष्णस्ततश्चित्ररथो नृपः
nāma catvāriṃśaduttaraśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ hariruvāca / śatānīko hyaśvamedhadattaścāpyadhisomakaḥ / kṛṣṇo 'niruddhaścāpyuṣṇastataścitraratho nṛpaḥ
Chapter one hundred and forty-one begins. Hari said: “There were kings named Śatānīka, Aśvamedhadatta, and Adhisomaka; also Kṛṣṇa, Aniruddha, and Uṣṇa; and then the king Citraratha.”
Hari (Lord Vishnu)
Concept: Rājadharma persists through changing rulers; names change, responsibility remains.
Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa flux over an underlying order (ṛta/dharma).
Application: In leadership roles, prioritize duty and public welfare over personal legacy; recognize one’s place in a longer continuum.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.140.41 (transition into this list); Garuda Purana 1.141.2-4 (continuation of names)
FAQs
This verse functions as a narrative and textual marker—introducing Chapter 141 and situating the discourse by referencing a sequence of kings, a common Purāṇic method to anchor teachings within lineage and history.
It does not describe afterlife doctrine directly; it primarily opens the chapter and enumerates names, indicating a transition into the next section of teaching spoken by Hari.
Use it as a cue for careful reading: Purāṇic chapter headings and name-lists often signal a new topic—helpful for organizing study, citation, and accurate ritual or doctrinal reference.