Shloka 12
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
अस्मिन्नरण्ये नूपते मान्धातुरपि चात्मज: । पुरुकुत्सो नृपः सिद्धि महतीं समवाप्तवान्,नरेश्वर! मान्धाताके पुत्र पुरुकुत्सने भी, सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ नर्मदा जिनकी पत्नी हुई थी, इसी वनमें तपस्या करके बहुत बड़ी सिद्धि प्राप्त की थी। यहीं तपस्या करके वे नरेश स्वर्गलोकमें गये थे
asminn araṇye nūpate māndhātur api cātmajaḥ | purukutsaḥ nṛpaḥ siddhiṃ mahatīṃ samavāptavān, nareśvara |
Nārada berkata: “Wahai tuan manusia, di rimba ini juga Purukutsa—putera Raja Māndhātṛ—telah menjalani tapa dan mencapai suatu pencapaian rohani yang agung. Setelah berpenitensi di sini, raja itu pun berangkat ke alam syurga.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that even powerful kings can and should pursue tapas (austerity and disciplined practice); such dharmic effort yields siddhi (spiritual accomplishment) and leads to higher destinies, emphasizing inner merit over mere worldly power.
Nārada points out the sanctity of the forest by citing a precedent: Purukutsa, son of Māndhātṛ, performed penance there, attained great siddhi, and then reached svarga—thereby validating the place as a proven site of ascetic success.