Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 17
Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
इति स्म राजाध्यवसाययुक्त: प्राचीनमूलेषु कुशेषु धीर: । उदङ्मुखो दक्षिणकूल आस्ते समुद्रपत्न्या: स्वसुतन्यस्तभार: ॥ १७ ॥
iti sma rājādhyavasāya-yuktaḥ prācīna-mūleṣu kuśeṣu dhīraḥ udaṅ-mukho dakṣiṇa-kūla āste samudra-patnyāḥ sva-suta-nyasta-bhāraḥ
かくして決意を固めたマハーラージャ・パリークシットは、自己をよく制し、根を東に向けて敷いたクシャ草の座に座した。場所はガンガーの南岸、彼自身は北を向いていた。少し前に、王国の重責はすでに息子に委ねていた。
The River Ganges is celebrated as the wife of the sea. The seat of kuśa straw is considered to be sanctified if the straw is taken out of the earth complete with root, and if the root is pointed toward the east it is considered to be auspicious. Facing the north is still more favorable for attaining spiritual success. Mahārāja Parīkṣit handed over the charge of administration to his son before leaving home. He was thus fully equipped for all favorable conditions.
FAQs
This verse shows Parīkṣit’s ideal preparation: he firmly resolves, relinquishes worldly duties by handing the kingdom to his son, and sits in a sacred place (Gaṅgā’s bank) with a focused mind for spiritual hearing and realization.
Because he had chosen a renounced, vow-bound focus for his remaining time; entrusting governance to his son removed distractions and fulfilled his responsibility in a dharmic way.
Make clear spiritual priorities, reduce avoidable obligations, and create protected time and space for sādhana—especially by simplifying responsibilities and focusing the mind on hearing and remembrance of Bhagavān.