Shloka 74
भरतचरितम्—मृगासक्ति-हेतुकः समाधिभङ्गः, जातिस्मरत्वं, रहूगण-जाḍभरत-संवादः
भो भो विसृज्य शिबिकां प्रसादं कुरु मे द्विज कथ्यतां को भवान् अत्र जाल्मरूपधरः स्थितः
bho bho visṛjya śibikāṃ prasādaṃ kuru me dvija kathyatāṃ ko bhavān atra jālmarūpadharaḥ sthitaḥ
“Ho there, ho there! Set down the palanquin and show me your favor, O twice-born. Tell me—who are you, standing here in this base, deceptive guise?”
A king or royal authority figure addressing a disguised ascetic/brāhmaṇa (reported within Parāśara’s narration to Maitreya)
FAQs
Such scenes test a ruler’s dharma and discernment, showing how power should respond to apparent disorder or deceit within society.
By embedding sharp exchanges in dynasty narratives, Parāśara illustrates how speech, restraint, and judgment reveal a king’s adherence to dharma.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the episode functions under Vishnu’s sovereign order—dharma and kingship are ultimately upheld within His cosmic governance.