Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 17
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
एवमुक्तो द्विजैर्ज्येष्ठं छन्दयामास सोऽब्रवीत् । तन्मन्त्रिप्रहितैर्विप्रैर्वेदाद् विभ्रंशितो गिरा ॥ १६ ॥ वेदवादातिवादान् वै तदा देवो ववर्ष ह । देवापिर्योगमास्थाय कलापग्राममाश्रित: ॥ १७ ॥
evam ukto dvijair jyeṣṭhaṁ chandayām āsa so ’bravīt tan-mantri-prahitair viprair vedād vibhraṁśito girā
Nang sabihin ito ng mga brāhmaṇa, nagtungo si Mahārāja Śāntanu sa gubat at nakiusap sa nakatatandang kapatid na si Devāpi na akuin ang pamamahala upang pangalagaan ang mga nasasakupan. Ngunit dahil sa udyok ng kanyang ministro, may ilang brāhmaṇa na nagpalihis kay Devāpi sa mga tuntunin ng Veda; nilait niya ang Veda at tumangging tumanggap ng trono. Kaya si Śāntanu ang muling naging hari, at si Indra ay nalugod at nagpaulan. Paglaon, tinahak ni Devāpi ang landas ng yoga at nanirahan sa Kalāpagrāma.
FAQs
This verse shows that when speech and policy drift from Vedic authority into excessive argumentation, social order is disturbed—symbolized here by the disruption of rain and prosperity.
The narrative states that Devāpi withdrew from political conflict and adopted yoga, residing in Kalāpa, indicating renunciation and spiritual discipline when dharma in governance was undermined.
The verse encourages aligning one’s decisions and speech with authentic, time-tested principles and avoiding ego-driven debate—supporting harmony, clarity, and responsible leadership.