Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
एवमुक्तो द्विजैर्ज्येष्ठं छन्दयामास सोऽब्रवीत् । तन्मन्त्रिप्रहितैर्विप्रैर्वेदाद् विभ्रंशितो गिरा ॥ १६ ॥ वेदवादातिवादान् वै तदा देवो ववर्ष ह । देवापिर्योगमास्थाय कलापग्राममाश्रित: ॥ १७ ॥
evam ukto dvijair jyeṣṭhaṁ chandayām āsa so ’bravīt tan-mantri-prahitair viprair vedād vibhraṁśito girā
ブラーフマナたちにそう告げられると、シャーンタヌは森へ赴き、兄デーヴァーピに王国を引き受けてほしいと願った。だが以前、シャーンタヌの大臣が一部のブラーフマナをそそのかし、デーヴァーピをヴェーダの規定に背かせていたため、彼はヴェーダの道から外れ、ヴェーダを誹謗して堕落し、王位を受け入れなかった。そこでシャーンタヌが再び王となり、インドラは満足して雨を降らせた。のちにデーヴァーピはヨーガの道に入り、心と感官を制し、カラーパグラーマという村に住して、今なおそこにいる。
FAQs
This verse indicates that when one is diverted from Vedic authority—especially by misguided counsel—one’s speech and judgment become distorted, leading to non-Vedic conclusions.
In the narrative, brāhmaṇas—sent under ministerial influence—became instruments in redirecting the younger from Vedic alignment, showing how even religious authority can be misused when guided by politics.
Choose guidance rooted in śāstra and integrity; avoid echo-chambers and self-interested advisors that gradually normalize compromise of core principles.