Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83
Bharata’s Attachment and the Palanquin Teaching on ‘I’ and ‘Mine’
त्वं राजा शिबिका चेयं वयं वाहाः पुरः सराः । अयं च भवतो लोको न सदेतन्नृपोच्यते ॥ ८३ ॥
tvaṃ rājā śibikā ceyaṃ vayaṃ vāhāḥ puraḥ sarāḥ | ayaṃ ca bhavato loko na sadetannṛpocyate || 83 ||
“Ngài là vua; đây là kiệu; chúng tôi là những người khiêng đi trước và nâng đỡ. Nhưng ‘ngôi vua’ nơi ngài không thật có—vì thế, theo nghĩa tối hậu, ngài chẳng được gọi là vua.”
Unspecified (didactic dialogue within Moksha-dharma context; likely a wise instructor addressing a ruler)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It dismantles ego based on social role—“king” is a convention sustained by attendants and symbols, not an ultimate reality—pointing the seeker toward truth (sat) and self-knowledge rather than status.
By exposing the fragility of worldly identity, it encourages humility and surrender—key foundations for Vishnu-bhakti—where one’s real refuge is the Lord, not power, titles, or public honor.
Primarily Vyākaraṇa/semantic discernment: the verse distinguishes between a mere label (“nṛpa/king” as a word used in society) and what is truly ‘sat’—a practical lesson in precise meaning and right understanding.