Shloka 17
अर्जुनस्य अन्त्येष्टि, द्वारकाप्लावनम्, कलिप्रवेशः, कालोपदेशः
हे हे यष्टीर् महायामा गृह्णीतायं सुदुर्मतिः सर्वान् एवावजानाति किं वो बाहुभिर् उन्नतैः
he he yaṣṭīr mahāyāmā gṛhṇītāyaṃ sudurmatiḥ sarvān evāvajānāti kiṃ vo bāhubhir unnataiḥ
“Ho there—bring the long staffs at once! Seize this wicked-minded man. He holds everyone in contempt—what use are your raised arms against such insolence?”
A royal/authoritative onlooker (court/guards being addressed), as narrated within Parāśara’s account to Maitreya
Concept: Collective violence fueled by resentment and perceived insult quickly turns into adharma, where brute force replaces rightful authority.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Recognize early signs of mob-mentality and de-escalate; uphold lawful protection of the helpless over ego-driven retaliation.
Vishishtadvaita: By contrast, the Lord’s rule is dharma-based; human society without dharmic restraint devolves into coercion.
FAQs
This verse frames contempt for society as a threat to dharma, showing why rulers employ force (staff/guards) to restore order when arrogance disrupts the realm.
Through episodes like this, Parāśara illustrates that kingship is not mere power-display; it is the practical protection of dharma, restraining the wicked when persuasion fails.
Even when Vishnu is not named, the Purana’s royal histories present governance and justice as instruments of the cosmic order ultimately rooted in Vishnu’s sovereignty over dharma.