Shloka 5
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
2 परम्कतर राजा दम्भोद्धवो नाम सार्वभौम: पुराभवत् | अखिलां बुभुजे सर्वा पृथिवीमिति न: श्रुतम्,'पूर्वकालकी बात है, दम्भोद्धव नामसे प्रसिद्ध एक सार्वभौम सम्राट् इस सम्पूर्ण अखण्ड भूमण्डलका राज्य भोगते थे; यह हमारे सुननेमें आया है
Paramatara rājā Dambhoddhavo nāma sārvabhaumaḥ purābhavat | Akhilāṃ bubhuje sarvāṃ pṛthivīm iti naḥ śrutam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Pada zaman dahulu ada seorang raja yang amat mulia, seorang maharaja sejagat bernama Dambhoddhava. Kami telah mendengar bahawa baginda menikmati dan memerintah seluruh bumi dengan sepenuhnya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical-political exemplum: supreme worldly sovereignty is presented as a remembered tradition, setting up reflection on the nature of power, enjoyment, and the responsibilities of universal rule.
Vaiśampāyana introduces an ancient story by naming a past universal emperor, Dambhoddhava, and stating that he ruled/enjoyed the whole earth—an opening that prepares the listener for a consequential episode about kingship.