Shloka 3
जनक-राज्ञः मौण्ड्य-परिव्रज्या-विवादः
Janaka’s Renunciation Questioned; Discourse on Dāna and Detachment
उत्सृज्य राज्यं भिक्षार्थ कृतबुद्धि नरेश्वरम् । विदेहराजमहिषी दु:खिता यदभाषत
utsṛjya rājyaṃ bhikṣārthaṃ kṛtabuddhiṃ nareśvaram | videharāja-mahiṣī duḥkhitā yad abhāṣata, ekasamayam rājā janako 'pi rājyaṃ tyaktvā bhikṣayā jīvana-nirvāhaṃ kariṣyāmīti niścayaṃ kṛtavān | tadā videharājasya mahiṣī duḥkhitā satī yat kiñcid avadat, tad eva te śrāvayāmi |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Noong minsan, si Haring Janaka—panginoon ng mga tao—ay nagpasiyang talikuran ang kaharian at mamuhay sa paghingi ng limos. Nang panahong iyon, ang reyna ng Videha, nababalot ng dalamhati, ay nagsalita ng ilang salita. Isasalaysay ko sa iyo nang wasto ang kanyang sinabi.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral tension central to Śānti Parva: whether a ruler may abandon royal duty for renunciation. By introducing Janaka’s resolve to live on alms and the queen’s distressed response, it sets up reflection on dharma—especially the balance between inner detachment and outer responsibility.
Arjuna begins recounting an earlier episode: King Janaka of Videha decides to give up his kingdom and sustain himself by begging. The queen, troubled by this decision, speaks to him; Arjuna says he will repeat her words to the listener.