Shloka 18
राजसूयविचारः — Deliberation on the Rajasuya and the Summoning of Kṛṣṇa
एतस्मात् कारणाद राजन हरिश्नन्द्रो विराजते । तेभ्यो राजसहस्रेभ्यस्तद् विद्धि भरतर्षभ
etasmāt kāraṇād rājan hariścandro virājate | tebhyo rājasahasrebhyas tad viddhi bharatarṣabha ||
राजन्! भरतश्रेष्ठ! इसी कारण उन सहस्रों राजाओं की अपेक्षा हरिश्चन्द्र विशेष सम्मान के साथ विराजते हैं—यह बात तुम भली-भाँति जान लो।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True distinction among rulers is grounded in dharma—especially steadfast truthfulness and ethical conduct—so that moral merit, not mere royal number or power, determines honor even in the divine assembly.
Nārada explains to the addressed king (styled ‘Bharatarṣabha’) why Hariścandra is seated more splendidly in Indra’s court than thousands of other kings: his exceptional merit makes him preeminent among them.