Shloka 136
Śoka-śamana: Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation and Nārada’s Exempla to Sṛñjaya
Chapter 29
सूंजयं पुत्रशोकार्त यथायं नारदो<ब्रवीत् | इस विषयमें एक प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया जाता है, जैसा कि इन देवर्षि नारदजीने पुत्र-शोकसे पीड़ित हुए राजा सूंजयसे कहा था,स चेन्ममार सूंजय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया । पुत्रात् पुण्यतरश्वैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथा: 'सूंजय! वे चारों कल्याणकारी गुणोंमें तुमसे बढ़े हुए थे। तुम्हारे पुत्रसे बहुत अधिक पुण्यात्मा थे। जब वे भी मर गये, तब तुम्हारे पुत्रकी क्या बात है? अतः तुम उसके लिये शोक न करो
Vāyudeva uvāca | Suñjayaṁ putraśokārta yathāyaṁ Nārado 'bravīt | asmin viṣaye ekaḥ prācīna itihāsaḥ udāharaṇam ucyate, yathā devarṣiḥ Nāradaḥ putraśokena pīḍitaṁ rājānaṁ Suñjayam uvāca | sa cen mamāra Suñjaya caturbhadrataras tvayā | putrāt puṇyataras caiva mā putram anutapyathāḥ ||
Vāyudeva said: “In this matter an ancient precedent is cited—just as the divine sage Nārada once spoke to King Suñjaya, who was tormented by grief for his son. ‘Suñjaya, even those four—more auspicious and excellent than you—have died; and they were far more meritorious than your son. If such persons too have passed away, what then of your son? Therefore do not grieve for him.’”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Grief should be moderated by insight into impermanence: even the most auspicious and highly meritorious beings die; therefore excessive lamentation for one’s own loss is not wise. The counsel redirects the mind from personal attachment toward steadiness and acceptance aligned with dharma.
Vāyudeva introduces an instructive old story: Nārada once addressed King Suñjaya, who was overwhelmed by sorrow for his deceased son. Nārada argues by precedent—if even four superior and more virtuous persons have died, Suñjaya should not be consumed by grief for his son.