Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 13
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
अत्रैवोदाहृत: पूर्वमितिहास: सुरर्षिणा । प्रीत्या महाक्रतौ राजन् पृच्छतेऽजातशत्रवे ॥ १३ ॥
atraivodāhṛtaḥ pūrvam itihāsaḥ surarṣiṇā prītyā mahā-kratau rājan pṛcchate ’jāta-śatrave
اے بادشاہ! اسی موضوع پر پہلے راجسویا مہاکرتو کے وقت دیورشی نارَد نے محبت سے ایک تاریخ بیان کی تھی۔ اجاتشترُ یُدھشٹھِر کے سوال کے جواب میں اس نے واضح مثال دے کر بتایا کہ دیوتاؤں اور اسُروں کے معاملے میں، حتیٰ کہ اسُروں کے وध میں بھی، بھگوان ہمیشہ غیر جانب دار اور ہم نظر رہتے ہیں۔
This relates to how the Lord exhibited His impartiality even when killing Śiśupāla in the arena of the Rājasūya yajña performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
FAQs
Ajātaśatru is an epithet of King Yudhiṣṭhira, meaning “one whose enemy is not born,” indicating his saintly, non-envious nature.
He signals that the teaching will be supported by an earlier historical narration—spoken by Nārada Muni—used to clarify the topic being discussed in this section.
By studying Bhagavatam narratives as practical guidance—using real examples of devotees and kings to shape one’s conduct, faith, and understanding of dharma and bhakti.