Shloka 44
स्वाध्याय-योगोपदेशः तथा केशिध्वज-खाण्डिक्य-उपाख्यानम्
Yoga through Study and Restraint; The Keśidhvaja–Khāṇḍikya Narrative Frame
तम् ऊचुर् मन्त्रिणो राज्यम् अशेषं प्रार्थ्यताम् अयम् कृतिभिः प्रार्थ्यते राज्यम् अनायासितसैनिकैः
tam ūcur mantriṇo rājyam aśeṣaṃ prārthyatām ayam kṛtibhiḥ prārthyate rājyam anāyāsitasainikaiḥ
His ministers said: “Entreat this man to accept the whole kingdom. For sovereignty, when sought by the capable—whose forces are already gathered without strain—is desired not as a burdensome conquest, but as a rightful duty in accord with dharma.”
Ministers/counsellors (as narrated by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Teaching through a royal exemplum: the contrast between worldly sovereignty and higher good amid dissolution teachings.
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Kingship, when arising without violent striving, is to be borne as a rightful responsibility rather than pursued as a burdened conquest.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Treat positions of authority as service and stewardship, not as egoic acquisition.
Vishishtadvaita: Worldly roles are meaningful when aligned to dharma under the Lord’s order (niyati), preparing the mind for higher realization.
Dharma Exemplar: Rāja-dharma (responsible acceptance of sovereignty as duty rather than conquest)
Key Kings: Khāṇḍikya
FAQs
It highlights dharmic statecraft: rightful sovereignty is framed as a duty entrusted to the capable, supported by counsel and readiness, not merely won through exhausting warfare.
Through dynastic episodes, Parāśara shows that stable rule arises from competence, counsel, and orderly succession—principles that mirror the Purana’s broader concern with maintaining universal order.
Even in political scenes, the Vishnu Purana presents dharmic sovereignty as part of a larger cosmic order ultimately grounded in Vishnu, the sustaining Supreme Reality behind stability and right governance.