Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
श्रुतो भगीरथाज्जज्ञे तस्य नाभोऽपरोऽभवत् । सिन्धुद्वीपस्ततस्तस्मादयुतायुस्ततोऽभवत् ॥ १६ ॥ ऋतूपर्णो नलसखो योऽश्वविद्यामयान्नलात् । दत्त्वाक्षहृदयं चास्मै सर्वकामस्तु तत्सुतम् ॥ १७ ॥
śruto bhagīrathāj jajñe tasya nābho ’paro ’bhavat sindhudvīpas tatas tasmād ayutāyus tato ’bhavat
भगीरथाचा पुत्र श्रुत झाला; त्याचा पुत्र नाभ (हा पूर्वी वर्णिलेल्या नाभापेक्षा वेगळा) झाला. नाभापासून सिन्धुद्वीप, त्यापासून अयुतायु आणि त्यापासून ऋतूपर्ण झाला. ऋतूपर्ण नलराजाचा मित्र झाला; त्याने नलाला जुगाराचे रहस्य शिकवले आणि नलाकडून अश्वविद्या घेतली. ऋतूपर्णाचा पुत्र सर्वकाम झाला।
Gambling is also an art. Kṣatriyas are allowed to exhibit talent in this art of gambling. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas lost everything by gambling and were deprived of their kingdom, wife, family and home because they were not expert in the gambling art. In other words, a devotee may not be expert in materialistic activities. It is therefore advised in the śāstra that materialistic activities are not at all suitable for the living entities, especially the devotees. A devotee should therefore be satisfied to eat whatever is sent as prasāda by the Supreme Lord. A devotee remains pure because he does not take to sinful activities such as gambling, intoxication, meat-eating and illicit sex.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva lists Bhagīratha’s immediate successors: Śruta, then Nābha, then Sindhudvīpa, and then Ayutāyu.
He is tracing the dynasties of righteous kings to preserve sacred history and show how dharma and devotion flow through royal lineages.
They encourage remembrance of dharmic exemplars and inspire responsibility to carry forward good character and devotion within one’s own family line.