Shloka 11
अहं हितं वदाम्येतत् प्रियं चेत् तव पार्थिव । देवयाना हि पन्थान: श्रुतास्ते यज्ञसंस्तरे,पृथ्वीनाथ! तुम्हें प्रिय लगे तो मैं तुम्हारे हितकी बात बताता हूँ। यज्ञ आरम्भ करते समय तुमने देवयान-मार्गोकी बात सुनी होगी। वे ही तुम्हारे योग्य हैं
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ahaṃ hitaṃ vadāmy etat priyaṃ cet tava pārthiva | devayānā hi panthānaḥ śrutās te yajñasaṃstare ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “If it pleases you, O king, I shall speak what is truly for your welfare. The paths known as the ‘Devayāna’ have indeed been heard by you at the time of the sacrificial rite; those very paths are fitting for you.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The speaker urges the king toward what is truly beneficial (hita) rather than merely pleasant, pointing him to the Devayāna—an elevated, dharmic ‘path’ associated with sacrificial knowledge and spiritual ascent.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king respectfully and offers counsel: recalling what the king has already heard in the context of sacrifice, he recommends the Devayāna as the appropriate course, framing guidance in terms of welfare and rightful suitability.