Shloka 29
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
पुत्रो यस्त्वानुवर्तेत स राजा पृथिवीपति: । भवतो<नुनयाम्येवं पूरू राज्येडभिषिच्यताम्,पूरने मित्ररूप होकर मेरी कामनाएँ पूर्ण की हैं। स्वयं शुक्राचार्यने मुझे वर दिया है कि 'जो पुत्र तुम्हारा अनुसरण करे, वही राजा एवं समस्त भूमण्डलका पालक हो”। अतः मैं आपलोगोंसे विनयपूर्ण आग्रह करता हूँ कि पूरुको ही राज्यपर अभिषिक्त करें
putro yas tvānuvarteta sa rājā pṛthivīpatiḥ | bhavato 'nunayāmy evaṃ pūrū rājye 'bhiṣicyatām ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “That son who follows you faithfully—he shall be the king, the lord and protector of the earth. Therefore I respectfully entreat you all: let Pūru be consecrated to the kingship.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate kingship is linked to dharma expressed as faithful adherence to rightful authority and duty; the one who truly ‘follows’ (anuvarteta) the elder’s rightful command is deemed fit to protect the earth.
The speaker states a criterion for succession—whichever son follows the father’s directive should become king—and urges the assembly to perform the royal consecration (abhiṣeka) of Pūru accordingly.