Shloka 12
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
अस्मिन्नरण्ये नूपते मान्धातुरपि चात्मज: । पुरुकुत्सो नृपः सिद्धि महतीं समवाप्तवान्
asminn araṇye nūpate māndhātur api cātmajaḥ | purukutsaḥ nṛpaḥ siddhiṃ mahatīṃ samavāptavān, nareśvara |
Nārada berkata: “Wahai raja manusia, di hutan ini juga Purukutsa—putra Raja Māndhātṛ—melakukan tapa dan meraih siddhi yang agung. Setelah bertapa di sini, sang raja berangkat menuju alam surga.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that even powerful kings can and should pursue tapas (austerity and disciplined practice); such dharmic effort yields siddhi (spiritual accomplishment) and leads to higher destinies, emphasizing inner merit over mere worldly power.
Nārada points out the sanctity of the forest by citing a precedent: Purukutsa, son of Māndhātṛ, performed penance there, attained great siddhi, and then reached svarga—thereby validating the place as a proven site of ascetic success.