Shloka 13
धन-यज्ञ-दानविवेकः
Wealth, Sacrifice, and Disciplined Giving
आविक्षित: पार्थिवोडसौ मरुत्तो वृद्धया शक्रं योडजयद् देवराजम् । यज्ञे यस्य श्री: स्वयं संनिविष्टा यस्मिन् भाण्डं काज्चनं सर्वमासीतू
Āvikṣitaḥ pārthivo 'sau Marutto vṛddhyā Śakraṃ yo 'jayad devarājam | yajñe yasya śrīḥ svayaṃ sanniviṣṭā yasmin bhāṇḍaṃ kāñcanaṃ sarvam āsīt ||
Devastāna dit : «Ce roi, le renommé Mahārāja Marutta, fils d’Āvikṣita, par la seule force de sa prospérité et de son accroissement, éclipsa et même surpassa Śakra (Indra), seigneur des dieux. Dans le sacrifice de Marutta, Śrī (Lakṣmī) elle-même prit place ; et chaque vase utilisé dans ce rite était d’or.»
देवस्थान उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity gains ethical meaning when it is aligned with dharma—especially through yajña and generous, public-minded use of wealth. The verse also suggests that worldly excellence can rival even divine prestige, implying a caution against arrogance and a reminder that true greatness is measured by righteous conduct and merit.
The speaker praises King Marutta, identifying him as the son of Āvikṣita, and describes the magnificence of Marutta’s sacrifice: Lakṣmī herself is said to be present, and all ritual vessels are golden. His prosperity is portrayed as so great that it metaphorically ‘defeats’ Indra, the king of the gods.