Shloka 10
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
स सम्राट् कस्य वा हेतो: पाण्डूनां मानवर्धन: । प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनादृत्याधिराट्श्रियम् ॥ १० ॥
sa samrāṭ kasya vā hetoḥ pāṇḍūnāṁ māna-vardhanaḥ prāyopaviṣṭo gaṅgāyām anādṛtyādhirāṭ-śriyam
พระองค์เป็นมหาจักรพรรดิ ผู้เพิ่มเกียรติแห่งราชวงศ์ปาณฑุ ครบพร้อมด้วยราชสมบัติทั้งปวง แล้วเหตุใดจึงละทิ้งศรีแห่งจักรพรรดิ ไปนั่งปฏิบัติพรตอดอาหาร ณ ฝั่งคงคาจนถึงความตาย?
Mahārāja Parīkṣit was the Emperor of the world and all the seas and oceans, and he did not have to take the trouble to acquire such a kingdom by his own effort. He inherited it from his grandfathers Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and brothers. Besides that, he was doing well in the administration and was worthy of the good names of his forefathers. Consequently there was nothing undesirable in his opulence and administration. Then why should he give up all these favorable circumstances and sit down on the bank of the Ganges, fasting till death? This is astonishing, and therefore all were eager to know the cause.
FAQs
This verse introduces the inquiry: despite being a powerful emperor, Parīkṣit renounced royal luxury and undertook prāyopaveśa (fasting unto death) on the Gaṅgā’s bank, prompting the narration of the cause and the ensuing Bhāgavatam discourse.
Śaunaka Ṛṣi, representing the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, asks Sūta Gosvāmī to explain the reason Parīkṣit abandoned imperial opulence and chose the Gaṅgā for his final vow.
It highlights purposeful detachment: when life’s ultimate goal is spiritual realization, even great worldly status is secondary to sincere hearing, remembrance, and preparation for death with devotion.