Shloka 74
भरतचरितम्—मृगासक्ति-हेतुकः समाधिभङ्गः, जातिस्मरत्वं, रहूगण-जाḍभरत-संवादः
भो भो विसृज्य शिबिकां प्रसादं कुरु मे द्विज कथ्यतां को भवान् अत्र जाल्मरूपधरः स्थितः
bho bho visṛjya śibikāṃ prasādaṃ kuru me dvija kathyatāṃ ko bhavān atra jālmarūpadharaḥ sthitaḥ
« Hé, hé ! Dépose le palanquin et accorde‑moi ta grâce, ô deux‑fois‑né. Dis‑moi : qui es‑tu, toi qui te tiens ici sous cette apparence vile et trompeuse ? »
A king or royal authority figure addressing a disguised ascetic/brāhmaṇa (reported within Parāśara’s narration to Maitreya)
FAQs
Such scenes test a ruler’s dharma and discernment, showing how power should respond to apparent disorder or deceit within society.
By embedding sharp exchanges in dynasty narratives, Parāśara illustrates how speech, restraint, and judgment reveal a king’s adherence to dharma.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the episode functions under Vishnu’s sovereign order—dharma and kingship are ultimately upheld within His cosmic governance.