Shloka 10
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
श्रीशुक उवाच पृथु: पुरूरवा गाधिर्नहुषो भरतोऽर्जुन: । मान्धाता सगरो राम: खट्वाङ्गो धुन्धुहा रघु: ॥ ९ ॥ तृणबिन्दुर्ययातिश्च शर्याति: शन्तनुर्गय: । भगीरथ: कुवलयाश्व: ककुत्स्थो नैषधो नृग: ॥ १० ॥ हिरण्यकशिपुर्वृत्रो रावणो लोकरावण: । नमुचि: शम्बरो भौमो हिरण्याक्षोऽथ तारक: ॥ ११ ॥ अन्ये च बहवो दैत्या राजानो ये महेश्वरा: । सर्वे सर्वविद: शूरा: सर्वे सर्वजितोऽजिता: ॥ १२ ॥ ममतां मय्यवर्तन्त कृत्वोच्चैर्मर्त्यधर्मिण: । कथावशेषा: कालेन ह्यकृतार्था: कृता विभो ॥ १३ ॥
pṛthuḥ purūravā gādhir nahuṣo bharato ’rjunaḥ māndhātā sagaro rāmaḥ khaṭvāṅgo dhundhuhā raghuḥ
شری شُک نے کہا—پرتھو، پوروروا، گادھی، نہوش، بھرت، (کارتویریہ) ارجن، ماندھاتا، سگَر، رام، کھٹوانگ، دھُندھُہا، رَگھو؛ ترنبندو، یَیاتی، شریاتی، شنتنو، گَیَ؛ بھگیرتھ، کوولیاشو، ککُتستھ، نَیشَध، نِرگ؛ ہِرَنیَکَشِپُو، وِرترا، سارے جگ کو رُلانے والا راون، نمُچی، شمبَر، بھَوم، ہِرَنیَاکش اور تارک—اور بہت سے دوسرے دَیتیہ اور عظیم اقتدار والے راجے—سب کے سب صاحبِ علم، بہادر، سب کو فتح کرنے والے اور ناقابلِ فتح تھے۔ پھر بھی، اے قادرِ مطلق پروردگار، یہ فانی دھرم والے لوگ مجھ پر مَمتا کو بہت بڑھا کر جیتے رہے؛ مگر زمانہ نے انہیں محض قصّوں کا باقیہ بنا دیا—کوئی بھی دائمی سلطنت قائم نہ کر سکا۔
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, and as confirmed by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the King Rāma mentioned here is not the incarnation of Godhead Rāmacandra. Pṛthu Mahārāja is understood to be an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who completely exhibited the characteristics of an earthly king, claiming proprietorship over the entire earth. A saintly king like Pṛthu Mahārāja, however, controls the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas a demon such as Hiraṇyakaśipu or Rāvaṇa tries to exploit the earth for his personal sense gratification. Nevertheless, both saintly kings and demons must leave the earth. In this way their political supremacy is ultimately neutralized by the force of time.
FAQs
This passage lists many famed rulers and conquerors and concludes that Time (kāla) reduces even the greatest to mere stories when they live with possessiveness and mortal attachment, without attaining the true purpose of life.
He emphasizes the universal rule of impermanence: whether virtuous kings or powerful Daityas, all are overcome by Time. The point is to turn Parīkṣit’s mind toward lasting spiritual achievement—bhakti and realization—rather than temporary glory.
Remember that achievements and possessions are temporary, and consciously dedicate your work, relationships, and resources to the Lord’s service; this shifts identity from ownership to stewardship and protects the heart from Time’s inevitable losses.