Adhyāya 3: Indra’s Invitation and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Refusal to Abandon the Dog
Svargārohaṇa Test
स्थाने5स्मिन् वस राजेन्द्र कर्मभिर्निर्जिते शुभै: । किं त्वं मानुष्यकं स्नेहमद्यापि परिकर्षसि
sthāne 'smin vasa rājendra karmabhir nirjite śubhaiḥ | kiṁ tvaṁ mānuṣyakaṁ sneham adyāpi parikarṣasi ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: “Hỡi bậc vương giả tối thượng, hãy an trú nơi cõi này—cõi giới mà ngài đã giành được nhờ những thiện nghiệp cát tường. Vì sao đến nay ngài vẫn còn bám víu, vẫn còn kéo theo mình những sợi dây ràng buộc của tình luyến ái nhân gian?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even when one has attained a higher state through virtuous action, lingering human attachment (sneha) can obstruct full acceptance of that state; the verse urges detachment and settling into the fruit of one’s karma without being pulled back by worldly bonds.
In the Mahāprasthānika context, the speaker addresses the king who has reached a heavenly station earned by merit, and questions why he still clings to human-world affection—implying the king’s continued concern for loved ones and earthly ties even after attaining svarga.