Shloka 7
धौन्धुमारोपाख्यानम्
Dhaundhumāra-Upākhyāna: The Slaying of Dhundhu and the Epithet ‘Dhundhumāra’
तदुभावेव भवन्तावुदारी व इदानीं भवद्धयामन्य-तम: सो$5पसर्पतु एतद् वै निदर्शनमित्युक्त्वा तूष्णीं नारदो बभूव । एतच्छुत्वा तु कौरव्य: शिबिं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पन्थानं दत्त्वा बहुकर्मभि: प्रशस्य प्रययौ,“अतः तुम दोनों ही उदार हो; इस समय तुम दोनोंमें से एक, जो अधिक उदार हो, वह मार्ग छोड़कर हट जाय; यही उदारताका आदर्श है।' ऐसा कहकर नारदजी चुप हो गये। यह सुनकर कुरुवंशी राजा सुहोत्रने शिबिको अपनी दायीं ओर करके मार्ग दे दिया और उनके अनेक सत्कर्मोंका उल्लेख करके उनकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा करते हुए वे अपनी राजधानीको चले गये
tadubhāveva bhavantāv udārī va idānīṁ bhavaddhyām anyatamaḥ so ’pasarpatu etad vai nidarśanam ity uktvā tūṣṇīṁ nārado babhūva | etac chrutvā tu kauravyaḥ śibiṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā panthānaṁ dattvā bahukarmabhiḥ praśasya prayayau |
Nārada said, “Since you both are indeed noble, let the one among you who is the more magnanimous now step aside and yield the way—this is the very model of generosity.” Having spoken thus, Nārada fell silent. Hearing this, the Kuru king, Suhotra, kept Śibi to his right in respectful circumambulation, yielded the road, and—praising him for his many virtuous deeds—departed for his own capital.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True generosity is shown not by words but by yielding one’s own claim—here, the right of way—out of respect and humility. Nārada frames this as a living ‘nidarśana’ (model) of udāratā, where the more magnanimous person voluntarily steps aside.
Nārada proposes a test of nobility between two honorable parties: whichever is more generous should withdraw and give way. After Nārada falls silent, the Kuru king Suhotra honors Śibi (keeping him to the right in pradakṣiṇā), yields the road, praises Śibi’s many virtuous deeds, and then departs for his capital.