Shloka 21
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
हरिश्चन्द्रो रन्तिदेव उञ्छवृत्ति: शिबिर्बलि: । व्याध: कपोतो बहवो ह्यध्रुवेण ध्रुवं गता: ॥ २१ ॥
hariścandro rantideva uñchavṛttiḥ śibir baliḥ vyādhaḥ kapoto bahavo hy adhruveṇa dhruvaṁ gatāḥ
Hariścandra, Rantideva, Mudgala yang hidup dengan uñchavṛtti, Śibi, Bali, pemburu legenda dan burung merpati—serta ramai lagi—telah mencapai yang kekal melalui yang tidak kekal.
Here Lord Kṛṣṇa and the two Pāṇḍavas are pointing out to Jarāsandha that one can use the temporary material body to achieve a permanent situation in life. Because Jarāsandha was a materialist, they appealed to his natural interest in the heavenly planets, where life lasts so long that it appears permanent to people on earth.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even the temporary body and fleeting circumstances (adhruva) can become a means to reach the eternal goal (dhruvam) when used in dharma, sacrifice, and devotion—illustrated by exemplary figures like Hariścandra, Rantideva, Śibi, and Bali.
Śukadeva cites well-known exemplars of truthfulness, charity, self-sacrifice, and surrender to show that steadfast virtue and devotion in this impermanent world can lead to imperishable spiritual attainment.
Use temporary resources—time, wealth, abilities, and relationships—in service, charity, truthfulness, and devotion; by dedicating the impermanent to God and dharma, one moves toward lasting spiritual progress.