Shloka 32
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
तस्य पुत्रोऽतितेजस्वी विहरन् बालकोऽर्भकै: । राज्ञाघं प्रापितं तातं श्रुत्वा तत्रेदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३२ ॥
tasya putro ’titejasvī viharan bālako ’rbhakaiḥ rājñāghaṁ prāpitaṁ tātaṁ śrutvā tatredam abravīt
บุตรของพราหมณ์ฤๅษีนั้นทรงเดชยิ่งนัก ขณะเล่นกับเด็กๆ เขาได้ยินเรื่องความทุกข์ของบิดาที่เกิดจากพระราชา แล้วกล่าวถ้อยคำดังนี้ ณ ที่นั้นเอง
Due to Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s good government, even a boy of tender age, who was playing with other inexperienced boys, could become as powerful as a qualified brāhmaṇa. This boy was known as Śṛṅgi, and he achieved good training in brahmacarya by his father so that he could be as powerful as a brāhmaṇa, even at that age. But because the Age of Kali was seeking an opportunity to spoil the cultural heritage of the four orders of life, the inexperienced boy gave a chance for the Age of Kali to enter into the field of Vedic culture. Hatred of the lower orders of life began from this brāhmaṇa boy, under the influence of Kali, and thus cultural life began to dwindle day after day. The first victim of brahminical injustice was Mahārāja Parīkṣit, and thus the protection given by the King against the onslaught of Kali was slackened.
FAQs
This verse introduces the moment when Śamīka Ṛṣi’s powerful son, Śṛṅgi, hears that the King has offended his father and is about to speak—leading into the curse narrative.
Because, though only a child, Śṛṅgi was highly potent and reacted to the report that the King had caused harm/offense to his father, prompting him to respond immediately.
It highlights how impulsive reactions—especially from pride or anger—can create disproportionate consequences; restraint and proper counsel are essential before speaking or judging.