Shloka 3
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali; Dharma and Bhūmi Lament Kṛṣṇa’s Departure
आजहाराश्वमेधांस्त्रीन् गङ्गायां भूरिदक्षिणान् । शारद्वतं गुरुं कृत्वा देवा यत्राक्षिगोचरा: ॥ ३ ॥
ājahārāśva-medhāṁs trīn gaṅgāyāṁ bhūri-dakṣiṇān śāradvataṁ guruṁ kṛtvā devā yatrākṣi-gocarāḥ
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, setelah memilih Kṛpācārya Śāradvata sebagai guru pembimbing, melaksanakan tiga yajña aśvamedha di tebing Sungai Gaṅgā dengan dakṣiṇā yang melimpah. Dalam yajña-yajña itu, para dewa pun kelihatan di hadapan mata orang ramai.
It appears from this verse that interplanetary travel by the denizens of higher planets is easy. In many statements in Bhāgavatam, we have observed that the demigods from heaven used to visit this earth to attend sacrifices performed by influential kings and emperors. Herein also we find that during the time of the horse sacrifice ceremony of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the demigods from other planets were visible even to the common man, due to the sacrificial ceremony. The demigods are not generally visible to common men, as the Lord is not visible. But as the Lord, by His causeless mercy, descends to be visible to the common man, similarly the demigods also become visible to the common man by their own grace. Although celestial beings are not visible to the naked eyes of the inhabitants of this earth, it was due to the influence of Mahārāja Parīkṣit that the demigods also agreed to be visible. The kings used to spend lavishly during such sacrifices, as a cloud distributes rains. A cloud is nothing but another form of water, or, in other words, the waters of the earth transform into clouds. Similarly, the charity made by the kings in such sacrifices was but another form of the taxes collected from the citizens. But, as the rains fall down very lavishly and appear to be more than necessary, the charity made by such kings also seems to be more than what the citizen needs. Satisfied citizens will never organize agitation against the king, and thus there was no need in changing the monarchial state.
FAQs
This verse states that Parīkṣit performed three Aśvamedha sacrifices on the Gaṅgā’s banks and gave abundant charity (bhūri-dakṣiṇā), showing ideal royal duty performed with generosity.
The verse highlights that Parīkṣit conducted these major Vedic rites under proper spiritual guidance by making Śāradvata his guru, emphasizing that even kings must act under qualified instruction for dharmic results.
Act with integrity under genuine guidance, and pair any success or responsibility with generosity—supporting dharma through charity and service rather than selfish enjoyment.