Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83
Bharata’s Attachment and the Palanquin Teaching on ‘I’ and ‘Mine’
त्वं राजा शिबिका चेयं वयं वाहाः पुरः सराः । अयं च भवतो लोको न सदेतन्नृपोच्यते ॥ ८३ ॥
tvaṃ rājā śibikā ceyaṃ vayaṃ vāhāḥ puraḥ sarāḥ | ayaṃ ca bhavato loko na sadetannṛpocyate || 83 ||
«Tu es le roi ; voici la litière ; nous en sommes les porteurs, marchant devant et la soutenant. Pourtant, cette “royauté” en toi n’est pas réellement vraie ; ainsi, au sens suprême, on ne t’appelle pas roi.»
Unspecified (didactic dialogue within Moksha-dharma context; likely a wise instructor addressing a ruler)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It dismantles ego based on social role—“king” is a convention sustained by attendants and symbols, not an ultimate reality—pointing the seeker toward truth (sat) and self-knowledge rather than status.
By exposing the fragility of worldly identity, it encourages humility and surrender—key foundations for Vishnu-bhakti—where one’s real refuge is the Lord, not power, titles, or public honor.
Primarily Vyākaraṇa/semantic discernment: the verse distinguishes between a mere label (“nṛpa/king” as a word used in society) and what is truly ‘sat’—a practical lesson in precise meaning and right understanding.