Shloka 61
Kuvalāśva’s Lineage and Uttaṅka’s Petition concerning Dhundhu (धुन्धु-प्रसङ्गः)
बिभेषि चेत् त्वमधर्मन्नरेन्द्र प्रयच्छ मे शीघ्रमेवाद्य वाम्यौ । एतच्छुत्वा वामदेवस्य वाक््यं स पार्थिव: सूतमुवाच रोषात्,“नरेन्द्र! यदि तुम अधर्मसे डरते हो तो मुझे अभी शीघ्रतापूर्वक मेरे वाम्य अश्वोंको लौटा दो।' वामदेवकी यह बात सुनकर राजाने रोषपूर्वक अपने सारथिसे कहा--
bibheṣi cet tvam adharman narendra prayaccha me śīghram evādya vāmyau | etac chrutvā vāmadevasya vākyaṃ sa pārthivaḥ sūtam uvāca roṣāt ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “O king, if you truly fear unrighteousness, then return to me at once—today, without delay—my pair of left-side horses.” Hearing these words of Vāmadeva, the ruler, anger rising, spoke to his charioteer—signaling that the dispute over what is right has now turned into a test of royal restraint and moral accountability.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma as accountability: if one claims to fear adharma, one must promptly correct wrongdoing (here, by returning what is not rightfully kept). It also hints that anger can derail righteous judgment, making self-restraint essential for kings.
Vāmadeva challenges the king: if the king fears unrighteousness, he should immediately return Vāmadeva’s left-side horses. On hearing this, the king becomes angry and addresses his charioteer, indicating an imminent response or action in the dispute.