Shloka 15
Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode
सत्यस्य पालनाद्राजन्विष्णुदेहेन युज्यते । देवैरुत्पादिता ह्येषा निकषा ते विमोहिनी ॥ १५ ॥
satyasya pālanādrājanviṣṇudehena yujyate | devairutpāditā hyeṣā nikaṣā te vimohinī || 15 ||
Ô roi, en gardant la vérité, on s’unit au corps même—à l’essence—de Viṣṇu. Certes, cette pierre de touche, cette épreuve, fut produite par les dieux; mais pour toi elle peut devenir un piège d’illusion.
Narada (in dialogue instruction to a King, within Uttara-Bhaga narrative style)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse teaches that steadfast protection of truth (satya-pālana) is not merely moral virtue but a direct means of communion with Viṣṇu’s essence—truth aligns the practitioner with the divine reality.
It frames bhakti as integrity in action: devotion to Viṣṇu is expressed through satya in speech and conduct, which culminates in closeness or union (yoga) with Viṣṇu rather than mere external ritualism.
The verse highlights a dharma-principle used as a practical ‘test’ (nikaṣā): discerning truth from delusion—an applied ethical discernment aligned with śāstric reasoning (nyāya-style discrimination), relevant to correct conduct in rites and vows.