Shloka 57
भरतचरितम्—मृगासक्ति-हेतुकः समाधिभङ्गः, जातिस्मरत्वं, रहूगण-जाḍभरत-संवादः
किं श्रान्तो ऽस्य् अल्पम् अध्वानं त्वयोढा शिबिका मम किम् आयाससहो न त्वं पीवान् असि निरीक्ष्यसे
kiṃ śrānto 'sy alpam adhvānaṃ tvayoḍhā śibikā mama kim āyāsasaho na tvaṃ pīvān asi nirīkṣyase
“நீ ஏன் களைத்தாய்? தூரம் சிறிதே; என் பல்லக்கை சுமப்பதும் நீயே. உழைப்பைத் தாங்க இயலாதவனா? நீ வலிமையாகத் தோன்றுகிறாய்—அப்படியிருக்க களைப்பாக ஏன் தெரிகிறாய்?”
A king/noble passenger addressing the palanquin-bearer (within the dynastic narrative relayed by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Rahūgaṇa’s misunderstanding of fatigue and embodiment, provoking the non-dual (self/body) clarification.
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: revealing
Concept: Pride rooted in bodily identification leads one to misread others’ states and to speak harshly without discernment.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Notice when you assume others ‘should’ perform based on appearances; practice humility and inquire before judging.
Vishishtadvaita: Implied: the jīva is distinct from the body and accountable under dharma; true vision honors the indwelling Lord in all beings (to be made explicit in Bharata’s reply).
FAQs
It sets up a moral and philosophical turn within a royal episode—outward strength and social role are questioned, preparing the ground for deeper teaching about endurance, duty, and insight.
Parāśara often embeds instruction in dynastic stories: a seemingly ordinary conversation reveals tensions between status and responsibility, prompting reflection that later clarifies dharma and right understanding.
Even when Vishnu is not named in a given verse, Book 4’s histories are presented as part of Vishnu’s ordered sovereignty over time—kingship, conduct, and consequence unfold within the divine governance of dharma established by Vishnu.