Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 13
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
अत्रैवोदाहृत: पूर्वमितिहास: सुरर्षिणा । प्रीत्या महाक्रतौ राजन् पृच्छतेऽजातशत्रवे ॥ १३ ॥
atraivodāhṛtaḥ pūrvam itihāsaḥ surarṣiṇā prītyā mahā-kratau rājan pṛcchate ’jāta-śatrave
王よ、この件については、かつてユディシュティラがラージャスーヤ大祭を行った折、デーヴァリシ・ナーラダが喜びをもって一つの史話を語った。無敵者ユディシュティラの問いに答え、主は悪魔を討つときでさえ常に公平無私であることを鮮やかな例で示した。
This relates to how the Lord exhibited His impartiality even when killing Śiśupāla in the arena of the Rājasūya yajña performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
FAQs
Ajātaśatru is an epithet of King Yudhiṣṭhira, meaning “one whose enemy is not born,” indicating his saintly, non-envious nature.
He signals that the teaching will be supported by an earlier historical narration—spoken by Nārada Muni—used to clarify the topic being discussed in this section.
By studying Bhagavatam narratives as practical guidance—using real examples of devotees and kings to shape one’s conduct, faith, and understanding of dharma and bhakti.