Shloka 16
यमसभावर्णनम् (Yamasabhā-varṇanam) — Nārada’s Description of Dharmarāja’s Assembly
करन्धमो बाह्नविकश्न सुद्युम्नो बलवान् मधु: । ऐलो मरुत्तश्न तथा बलवान् पृथिवीपति:
Karaṇdhamaḥ Bāhnavikaś ca Sudyumno balavān Madhuḥ | Ailo Maruttaś ca tathā balavān Pṛthivīpatiḥ ||
Nārada dit : «Karaṇdhama, Bāhnavika et Sudyumna ; le puissant Madhu ; et de même Aila et Marutta—chacun un souverain de grande force, seigneur de la terre.» Dans ce contexte, Nārada évoque un rôle de rois illustres pour souligner la leçon morale : même les plus forts gouvernants et les lignées les plus célébrées sont soumis au temps et au destin ; la grandeur se mesure non par la puissance seule, mais par l’usage du pouvoir selon le dharma.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
By naming celebrated, powerful kings, Nārada highlights the transience of worldly power and reputation. The implied ethical point is that sovereignty and strength are not permanent; therefore a ruler should ground conduct in dharma rather than pride, conquest, or mere display of might.
Nārada is speaking and reciting a catalogue of eminent rulers—Karaṇdhama, Bāhnavika, Sudyumna, Madhu, Aila, and Marutta—describing them as powerful lords of the earth. The list functions as an illustrative reminder within the discourse, pointing to the broader reflection on royal greatness and its limits.