Amsha 4 - Royal DynastiesAdhyaya 111 Verses

Adhyaya 11

कार्तवीर्य-गतिविशेषः (Kārtavīrya’s Unattainable Exalted Course)

Parāśara, continuing his dynastic account to Maitreya, proclaims Kārtavīrya’s gati as uniquely exalted. He declares that other kings on earth will not attain the same course even if they perform yajña, dāna, tapas, praśraya (humility), and śruta (Vedic learning), for such a fruit arises only from a special karmic configuration and the grace of Bhagavān Viṣṇu. In the guru–śiṣya setting, Maitreya is taught to read history with discernment, recognizing Viṣṇu’s supreme sovereignty and the non-repeatability of certain divinely governed outcomes.

Shlokas

Verse 6

न नूनं कार्तवीर्यस्य गतिं यास्यन्ति पार्थिवाः यज्ञैर् दानैस् तपोभिर् वा प्रश्रयेण श्रुतेन च

Surely, no earthly kings will attain the exalted course achieved by Kārtavīrya—whether through sacrifices, through gifts, through austerities, or even by humility and learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Parāśara mean by saying other kings cannot attain Kārtavīrya’s gati?

He indicates that Kārtavīrya’s attained course is exceptional and not produced merely by generic merit (yajña, dāna, tapas, humility, learning). The verse points to the specificity of karmic fruition under Viṣṇu’s providential order rather than a simple ‘one practice equals one result’ formula.

Does the verse devalue yajña, dāna, and tapas?

No. It affirms their importance within rāja-dharma, but teaches that even high merit has differentiated results depending on eligibility (adhikāra), karmic context, and the Lord’s overarching governance of फल (phala).