Shloka 35
स्वाध्याय-योगोपदेशः तथा केशिध्वज-खाण्डिक्य-उपाख्यानम्
Yoga through Study and Restraint; The Keśidhvaja–Khāṇḍikya Narrative Frame
क्रमेण विधिवद् यागं नीत्वा सो ऽवभृथाप्लुतः कृतकृत्यस् ततो भूत्वा चिन्तयाम् आस पार्थिवः
krameṇa vidhivad yāgaṃ nītvā so 'vabhṛthāplutaḥ kṛtakṛtyas tato bhūtvā cintayām āsa pārthivaḥ
Having, step by step and in full accordance with sacred rule, brought the sacrifice to completion, he then performed the concluding avabhṛtha ablution. His duty fulfilled, the king thereafter fell into deep reflection.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Concept: Even after perfectly completing ritual duty, the mind turns inward to examine what remains unresolved in one’s purpose.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: After completing obligations, cultivate reflective review and redirect the heart from mere performance to inner transformation.
Vishishtadvaita: Karma becomes spiritually fruitful when followed by inward recollection and orientation toward the Supreme rather than mere external completion.
Bhakti Type: shanta
FAQs
It marks the formal completion and purification of the sacrificer after the yajña, signaling that the rite has been concluded in full accordance with dharma.
By showing that the king has completed every prescribed step of the ritual properly; only after finishing the vidhi does he become ‘one whose duty is done’ and turn inward to reflection.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purāṇic frame treats properly ordered sacrifice and dharma as upheld by the Supreme Lord’s cosmic sovereignty, with righteous action leading the mind toward higher contemplation.