अध्याय ९५: चित्राङ्गदस्य गन्धर्वेण सह संग्रामः तथा विचित्रवीर्यस्य राज्याभिषेकः
Chitrāṅgada’s duel with the Gandharva and Vicitravīrya’s consecration
देवापिश्न प्रवव्राज तेषां धर्महितेप्सया । शान्तनुश्न महीं लेभे बाह्लीकश्न महारथ:,भरतश्रेष्ठ! प्रतीपके तीन पुत्र हुए--देवापि, शान्तनु और महारथी बाह्नलीक। इनमेंसे देवापि धर्माचरणद्वारा कल्याण-प्राप्तिकी इच्छासे वनको चले गये, इसलिये शान्तनु एवं महारथी बाह्लीकने इस पृथ्वीका राज्य प्राप्त किया
Vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca: Devāpiḥ pravavrāja teṣāṃ dharma-hitepsayā | Śāntanuś ca mahīṃ lebhe Bāhlīkaś ca mahārathaḥ ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ଧର୍ମଜନିତ ହିତ ଆଶା କରି ଦେବାପି ପ୍ରବ୍ରଜ୍ୟା ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି ବନକୁ ଗଲେ। ତେଣୁ ଶାନ୍ତନୁ ପୃଥିବୀର ରାଜ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କଲେ, ଏବଂ ମହାରଥୀ ବାହ୍ଲୀକ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାଜାଧିକାର ପାଇଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse underscores that commitment to dharma may involve renunciation, and such ethical choices can legitimately alter worldly outcomes like succession; political authority is shown as contingent upon moral and ascetic decisions within the family line.
In the account of Pratīpa’s lineage, Devāpi leaves for the forest seeking dharmic welfare; as a result, Śāntanu receives the kingship, and Bāhlīka is also described as a great warrior who attains royal standing.