Shloka 48
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
यै: कोपितं ब्रह्मकुलं राजन्यैरजितात्मभि: । तत् कुलं प्रदहत्याशु सानुबन्धं शुचार्पितम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yaiḥ kopitaṁ brahma-kulaṁ rājanyair ajitātmabhiḥ tat kulaṁ pradahaty āśu sānubandhaṁ śucārpitam
Wahai raja, apabila golongan pemerintah yang tidak mengawal indera menyinggung dan membangkitkan murka golongan brāhmaṇa, maka api kemarahan itu segera membakar seluruh wangsa diraja beserta pertalian, lalu menimpakan dukacita kepada semuanya.
The brāhmaṇa order of society, or the spiritually advanced caste or community, and the members of such highly elevated families, were always held in great esteem by the other, subordinate castes, namely the administrative kingly order, the mercantile order and the laborers.
FAQs
This verse warns that when self-uncontrolled rulers provoke brāhmaṇas, their own dynasty is quickly ruined, along with their associates, due to the destructive reaction that follows such an offense.
Śukadeva instructs Parīkṣit on dharma and the grave consequences of hostility toward brāhmaṇas, in the context of events surrounding misuse of brahminical power and the need for righteous governance.
Cultivate self-control and avoid abusing power; show respect to teachers, sages, and principled counselors—because harming those dedicated to truth and wisdom can bring swift personal and social fallout.