Shloka 3
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
उत्सृज्य राज्यं भिक्षार्थ कृतबुद्धि नरेश्वरम् । विदेहराजमहिषी दु:खिता यदभाषत,एक समय राजा जनकने भी राज्य छोड़कर भिक्षासे जीवन-निर्वाह कर लेनेका निश्चय कर लिया था। उस समय विदेहराजकी महारानीने दुखी होकर जो कुछ कहा था, वही आपको सुना रहा हूँ
utsṛjya rājyaṃ bhikṣārthaṃ kṛtabuddhiṃ nareśvaram | videharāja-mahiṣī duḥkhitā yad abhāṣata, ekasamayam rājā janako 'pi rājyaṃ tyaktvā bhikṣayā jīvana-nirvāhaṃ kariṣyāmīti niścayaṃ kṛtavān | tadā videharājasya mahiṣī duḥkhitā satī yat kiñcid avadat, tad eva te śrāvayāmi |
Arjuna said: “Having resolved to abandon his kingdom and live by alms, the lord of men—King Janaka—once formed this determination. At that time the queen of Videha, distressed at heart, spoke certain words. I shall relate to you exactly what she said.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral tension central to Śānti Parva: whether a ruler may abandon royal duty for renunciation. By introducing Janaka’s resolve to live on alms and the queen’s distressed response, it sets up reflection on dharma—especially the balance between inner detachment and outer responsibility.
Arjuna begins recounting an earlier episode: King Janaka of Videha decides to give up his kingdom and sustain himself by begging. The queen, troubled by this decision, speaks to him; Arjuna says he will repeat her words to the listener.