Mahabharata — Vana Parva, Shloka 8
Guṇa-vibhāga and Prāṇa–Agni–Yoga Upadeśa (गुणविभाग तथा प्राण-अग्नि-योगोपदेश)
पुत्रसंक्रामितश्रीस्तु बृहदश्वो महीपति: । जगाम तपसे धीमांस्तपोवनममित्रहा,शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले बुद्धिमान् राजा बृहदश्व॒ राजलक्ष्मीका भार पुत्रपर छोड़कर स्वयं तपस्याके लिये तपोवनमें चले गये
Mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | putrasaṅkrāmitāśrīs tu bṛhadaśvo mahīpatiḥ | jagāma tapase dhīmāṁs tapovanaṁ amitrahā ||
Raja Bṛhadaśva yang bijaksana, penumpas musuh, setelah menyerahkan kemuliaan kerajaan dan beban kedaulatan kepada putranya, berangkat ke hutan pertapaan untuk menjalankan tapa.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Renunciation is presented as dharmic when it is responsible: a ruler may pursue tapas after ensuring the kingdom’s continuity by transferring sovereignty to a qualified successor, balancing personal spiritual aims with public duty (rājadharma).
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that King Bṛhadaśva hands over royal prosperity and authority to his son and then leaves for a tapovana to perform austerities, marking a transition from active kingship to ascetic practice.