Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
मैत्रेय उवाच ध्रुवस्य चोत्कल: पुत्र: पितरि प्रस्थिते वनम् । सार्वभौमश्रियं नैच्छदधिराजासनं पितु: ॥ ६ ॥
maitreya uvāca dhruvasya cotkalaḥ putraḥ pitari prasthite vanam sārvabhauma-śriyaṁ naicchad adhirājāsanaṁ pituḥ
Maitreya répondit : Cher Vidura, lorsque Mahārāja Dhruva partit pour la forêt, son fils Utkala ne voulut pas accepter le trône opulent de son père, destiné au souverain de toutes les terres de ce monde.
FAQs
This verse states that Utkala, though eligible for Dhruva’s imperial throne, did not desire universal sovereignty, showing detachment from worldly dominion.
Because Utkala was not attracted to political power or the splendor of rulership; his disposition was renounced, so he declined the imperial seat.
It teaches prioritizing spiritual goals over status—doing one’s duty without obsession for promotion, prestige, or control, and cultivating inner contentment.