Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 15
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
शान्तिमाप्नोति चैवाग्र्यां कर्मणा तेन शान्तनु: । समा द्वादश तद्राज्ये न ववर्ष यदा विभु: ॥ १४ ॥ शान्तनुर्ब्राह्मणैरुक्त: परिवेत्तायमग्रभुक् । राज्यं देह्यग्रजायाशु पुरराष्ट्रविवृद्धये ॥ १५ ॥
śāntim āpnoti caivāgryāṁ karmaṇā tena śāntanuḥ samā dvādaśa tad-rājye na vavarṣa yadā vibhuḥ
Par ses actes, le roi procurait au peuple une paix éminente; c’est pourquoi on l’appela Śāntanu. Un jour, il ne plut pas durant douze années dans son royaume. Les brāhmaṇas lui dirent alors : «Tu es en faute, car tu jouis du droit de ton frère aîné; pour l’essor de la cité et du pays, rends sans tarder le royaume à l’aîné.»
One cannot enjoy sovereignty or perform an agnihotra-yajña in the presence of one’s elder brother, or else one becomes a usurper, known as parivettā.
FAQs
This verse shows that Vedic society viewed marrying before one’s elder brother as a dharmic fault (parivettā), and the brāhmaṇas advised correcting the injustice by restoring the elder brother’s rightful position.
Because they considered the elder brother the proper heir and saw that Śāntanu had taken precedence improperly; returning the kingdom was meant to reestablish dharma and ensure the prosperity of the realm.
Respect rightful order, fairness, and responsibility in family and leadership roles—correcting advantage taken at another’s expense helps restore harmony and long-term prosperity.