Shloka 36
अर्जुनस्य अन्त्येष्टि, द्वारकाप्लावनम्, कलिप्रवेशः, कालोपदेशः
तं वन्दमानं चरणाव् अवलोक्य मुनिश् चिरम् उवाच पार्थं विच्छायः कथम् अत्यन्तम् ईदृशः
taṃ vandamānaṃ caraṇāv avalokya muniś ciram uvāca pārthaṃ vicchāyaḥ katham atyantam īdṛśaḥ
Seeing him bow and gaze upon his feet in reverence, the sage watched for a long while and then said to the prince: “Why is your radiance so utterly drained—how have you come to be in such a state?”
A muni (sage) addressing a prince referred to as “Pārtha”
Concept: A visible loss of tejas is treated as a symptom of inner disorder, calling for truthful disclosure and correction.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Notice ethical ‘tells’—restlessness, dullness, shame—and seek counsel rather than hiding the cause.
Vishishtadvaita: Moral order is part of the Lord’s niyati; inner radiance reflects alignment with dharma under divine governance.
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
In this verse it signals an inner disturbance—grief, fear, guilt, or spiritual depletion—prompting the sage to inquire and begin guidance.
A respectful approach (bowing at the feet) is followed by a discerning sage’s observation and a direct question, setting up a teaching moment grounded in dharma and right understanding.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Purana’s dynastic scenes typically serve Vishnu-centered dharma: sages restore order and clarity so rulers align their conduct with the cosmic sovereignty upheld by Vishnu.