Shloka 8
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
प्रतिज्ञा तेडन्यूथा राजन् विचेष्टा चान्यथा तव । यद् राज्यं महदुत्सृज्य स्वल्पे तुष्यसि पार्थिव,“नरेश्वरर आपकी प्रतिज्ञा तो कुछ और थी और चेष्टा कुछ और ही दिखायी देती है। भूपाल! आपने विशाल राज्य छोड़कर थोड़ी-सी वस्तुमें संतोष कर लिया
pratijñā te 'nyathā rājan viceṣṭā cānyathā tava | yad rājyaṁ mahad utsṛjya svalpe tuṣyasi pārthiva ||
प्रतिज्ञा तेऽन्यथा राजन् विचेष्टा चान्यथा तव । यद् राज्यं महदुत्सृज्य स्वल्पे तुष्यसि पार्थिव ॥
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical demand for integrity: a ruler’s proclaimed vow (pratijñā) should align with his actual conduct (viceṣṭā). It also raises the moral tension between worldly sovereignty and the virtue of contentment after renunciation.
Arjuna addresses a king and challenges him: the king’s earlier resolve and his present behavior do not match. Arjuna points to the king’s act of giving up a great kingdom and being satisfied with a small portion, questioning the consistency and intent behind this change.