Shloka 13
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
अविक्षिन्नाम शत्रुंजित् स वशे कृतवान् महीम् । विक्रमेण गुणैश्वैव पितेवासीत् स पार्थिव:,कहते हैं राजा करन्धम अभीष्ट कालतक इस संसारमें जीवन धारण करके अन्तमें सशरीर स्वर्गलोकको चले गये थे। उनके पुत्र अविक्षित् ययातिके समान धर्मज्ञ थे। उन्होंने अपने पराक्रम और गुणोंके द्वारा शत्रुओंपर विजय पाकर सारी पृथ्वीको अपने वशमें कर लिया था। वे राजा अपनी प्रजाके लिये पिताके समान थे
avikṣinnāma śatruñjit sa vaśe kṛtavān mahīm | vikrameṇa guṇaiś caiva pitevāsīt sa pārthivaḥ ||
Vyāsa said: Avikṣit—true to his name as a conqueror of foes—brought the earth under his control. By his valor and by his virtues alike, that king ruled as a father to his people, embodying the ideal of protective and benevolent sovereignty.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy rests not only on conquest (vikrama) but equally on virtues (guṇa), culminating in paternal care for subjects—rule that protects, nurtures, and restrains harm.
Vyāsa is describing the lineage and qualities of King Avikṣit, emphasizing that he subdued rival forces and unified the realm, yet governed with benevolence, treating his people as a father would.