Shloka 26
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
भार्याशतेन निर्विण्ण ऋषयोऽस्य कृपालव: । इष्टिं स्म वर्तयांचक्रुरैन्द्रीं ते सुसमाहिता: ॥ २६ ॥
bhāryā-śatena nirviṇṇa ṛṣayo ’sya kṛpālavaḥ iṣṭiṁ sma vartayāṁ cakrur aindrīṁ te susamāhitāḥ
Bien que Yuvanāśva se fût retiré dans la forêt avec ses cent épouses, le roi et toutes les reines étaient accablés de tristesse. Les sages de la forêt, pleins de compassion, entreprirent alors avec soin et recueillement un Indra-yajña, l’aindrī-iṣṭi, afin que le roi obtienne un fils.
One may enter the vānaprastha order of life with his wife, but the vānaprastha order means complete retirement from household life. Although King Yuvanāśva retired from family life, he and his wives were always morose because he had no son.
FAQs
This verse shows that overindulgence—even in lawful household life—can lead to weariness and detachment, and that wise guidance redirects one toward dharmic purification through sacred rites.
Because they were compassionate and saw his distressed condition; being fully composed, they prescribed a Vedic remedy—an Indra-connected iṣṭi—to restore order and auspiciousness according to dharma.
When overwhelmed by responsibilities and pleasures, seek wise counsel and adopt purifying disciplines—prayer, regulated living, and spiritual practice—rather than trying to increase enjoyment as a solution.