Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
स तु राजा महाप्राज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगाः । निक्षिप्य पृथिवीं सर्वां सचिवेषु ययौ वनम् ॥ १६७ ॥
sa tu rājā mahāprājñaḥ sarvaśāstrārthapāragāḥ | nikṣipya pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ saciveṣu yayau vanam || 167 ||
Raja itu, amat bijaksana dan mahir akan makna segala śāstra, menyerahkan seluruh bumi (kerajaan) kepada para menteri lalu berangkat ke rimba.
Sūta (narrator)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It presents the dharmic ideal of vairāgya: even a competent ruler, after fulfilling worldly duty, relinquishes power and turns toward forest-life for inner discipline and liberation-oriented practice.
By leaving royal attachment and seeking the forest, the king creates the conditions for single-pointed sādhana—typically including remembrance of Bhagavān, japa, and worship—showing that bhakti matures when worldly control and possessiveness are surrendered.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is Rajadharma aligned with śāstric discernment—proper delegation of governance before taking up vānaprastha/renunciant discipline.