Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 15
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
शान्तिमाप्नोति चैवाग्र्यां कर्मणा तेन शान्तनु: । समा द्वादश तद्राज्ये न ववर्ष यदा विभु: ॥ १४ ॥ शान्तनुर्ब्राह्मणैरुक्त: परिवेत्तायमग्रभुक् । राज्यं देह्यग्रजायाशु पुरराष्ट्रविवृद्धये ॥ १५ ॥
śāntim āpnoti caivāgryāṁ karmaṇā tena śāntanuḥ samā dvādaśa tad-rājye na vavarṣa yadā vibhuḥ
Por suas ações, o rei concedia ao povo uma paz excelsa; por isso foi chamado Śāntanu. Certa vez, em seu reino não choveu por doze anos. Então os brāhmaṇas lhe disseram: “Há falta em ti, pois desfrutas do direito do irmão mais velho; para o progresso da cidade e do país, devolve depressa o reino ao primogênito.”
One cannot enjoy sovereignty or perform an agnihotra-yajña in the presence of one’s elder brother, or else one becomes a usurper, known as parivettā.
FAQs
This verse shows that Vedic society viewed marrying before one’s elder brother as a dharmic fault (parivettā), and the brāhmaṇas advised correcting the injustice by restoring the elder brother’s rightful position.
Because they considered the elder brother the proper heir and saw that Śāntanu had taken precedence improperly; returning the kingdom was meant to reestablish dharma and ensure the prosperity of the realm.
Respect rightful order, fairness, and responsibility in family and leadership roles—correcting advantage taken at another’s expense helps restore harmony and long-term prosperity.