Shloka 11
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 65 — Duḥśāsana’s Elephant Corps Engages Arjuna; Retreat to the Śakaṭa-vyūha
उस यज्ञमें भक्ष्य-भोज्य अन्न-पानके पर्वतोंके समान एक कोस ऊँचे ढेर लगे हुए थे। राजाका अश्वमेध-यज्ञ पूरा हो जानेपर अन्नके तेरह पर्वत बच गये थे ।। तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णा शान्तविघध्नामनामयाम् । शशबिन्दुरिमां भूमिं चिरं भुक्त्वा दिवं गत:,शशबिन्दुके राज्यकालमें यह पृथ्वी हृष्ट-पुष्ट मनुष्योंसे भरी थी। यहाँ कोई विघ्न-बाधा और रोग-व्याधि नहीं थी। शशबिन्दु इस वसुधाका दीर्घकालतक उपभोग करके अन्तमें स्वर्गलोकको चले गये
tuṣṭa-puṣṭa-janākīrṇā śānta-vighnām anāmayām | śaśabindur imāṃ bhūmiṃ ciraṃ bhuktvā divaṃ gataḥ ||
Nārada said: In the reign of Śaśabindu, the earth was crowded with people who were content and well-nourished. Obstacles and calamities were stilled, and there was no disease. Having long enjoyed and governed this world in such prosperity, Śaśabindu finally departed to heaven—implying that righteous rule and the welfare of subjects lead to lasting fame and a blessed end.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadharma: when a king governs rightly, society becomes content and well-fed, obstacles and disorders subside, and health prevails. Such welfare-oriented rule accrues merit, symbolized by the king’s eventual attainment of heaven.
Nārada is describing the exemplary reign of King Śaśabindu, emphasizing the flourishing condition of the earth under him—people are prosperous, there are no major hindrances or diseases—and concluding that after a long reign he departed to heaven.