Shloka 11
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
तथा पृषथ्रो राजा55सीद् राजन् वज्रधरोपम: । स चापि तपसा लेभे नाकपृष्ठमितो गत:
tathā pṛṣadhro rājāsīd rājan vajradharopamaḥ | sa cāpi tapasā lebhe nākapṛṣṭham ito gataḥ ||
Nārada said: “So too was King Pṛṣadhra, O king—mighty like Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt. He also, by the power of austerity, attained the heavenly world after departing from this realm.” The verse underscores an ethical ideal: disciplined self-restraint and tapas can elevate one beyond worldly status, presenting kingship as accountable not only to power but to inner merit.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power is not the final measure of a ruler; disciplined austerity (tapas) and inner merit can lead to higher spiritual reward, here expressed as attainment of heaven.
Nārada continues listing exemplary kings: he cites King Pṛṣadhra, praised as Indra-like in valor, and states that through tapas he attained the heavenly realm after leaving this world.