Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 17
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
एवमुक्तो द्विजैर्ज्येष्ठं छन्दयामास सोऽब्रवीत् । तन्मन्त्रिप्रहितैर्विप्रैर्वेदाद् विभ्रंशितो गिरा ॥ १६ ॥ वेदवादातिवादान् वै तदा देवो ववर्ष ह । देवापिर्योगमास्थाय कलापग्राममाश्रित: ॥ १७ ॥
evam ukto dvijair jyeṣṭhaṁ chandayām āsa so ’bravīt tan-mantri-prahitair viprair vedād vibhraṁśito girā
Lorsque les brāhmaṇas eurent parlé ainsi, le Mahārāja Śāntanu se rendit en forêt et supplia son frère aîné Devāpi de prendre en charge le royaume afin de protéger les sujets. Mais, sur l’instigation du ministre, certains brāhmaṇas poussèrent Devāpi à transgresser les injonctions védiques; il blâma les Veda et refusa le trône. Śāntanu régna donc de nouveau, et Indra, satisfait, fit tomber la pluie. Plus tard, Devāpi adopta la voie du yoga et se retira à Kalāpagrāma, où il demeure encore.
FAQs
This verse shows that when speech and policy drift from Vedic authority into excessive argumentation, social order is disturbed—symbolized here by the disruption of rain and prosperity.
The narrative states that Devāpi withdrew from political conflict and adopted yoga, residing in Kalāpa, indicating renunciation and spiritual discipline when dharma in governance was undermined.
The verse encourages aligning one’s decisions and speech with authentic, time-tested principles and avoiding ego-driven debate—supporting harmony, clarity, and responsible leadership.