Shloka 31
स्वाध्याय-योगोपदेशः तथा केशिध्वज-खाण्डिक्य-उपाख्यानम्
Yoga through Study and Restraint; The Keśidhvaja–Khāṇḍikya Narrative Frame
ततस् तम् अभ्युपेत्याह खाण्डिक्यजनको रिपुम् प्रष्टव्यं यत् त्वया सर्वं तत् पृच्छस्व वदाम्य् अहम्
tatas tam abhyupetyāha khāṇḍikyajanako ripum praṣṭavyaṃ yat tvayā sarvaṃ tat pṛcchasva vadāmy aham
Then, approaching that foe, Khāṇḍikya’s father addressed him: “Whatever you wish to ask—ask it all without reserve; I shall tell you.”
Khāṇḍikya’s father (addressing an enemy/foe within the narrative recounted by Parāśara)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How restraint and truthful instruction can resolve enmity and lead to dharmic atonement
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Even amid hostility, one who stands with dharma can replace violence with truthful dialogue and guidance.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: In conflict, create space for honest questions and transparent answers before escalating to harm.
Vishishtadvaita: Dharma is upheld through satya and restraint—virtues grounded in Bhagavān’s order that permeates social ethics.
Dharma Exemplar: Satya (truthfulness)
Key Kings: Keśidhvaja, Khāṇḍikya
FAQs
This verse foregrounds the Purana’s teaching method: knowledge is transmitted through direct questioning, where the qualified speaker invites complete inquiry and promises a full response.
By having an elder figure invite questions even in a tense setting, the text models authority as grounded in counsel, clarity, and readiness to explain dharma and duty.
Even in dynastic episodes, the Vishnu Purana’s didactic structure ultimately supports dharma-oriented living under Vishnu’s sovereign order, with history serving as a vehicle for spiritual and ethical instruction.