Kshemadaśī

Kshemadaśī was a rājaputra (prince) of the Kosala dynasty. He lost his kingdom and went to the muni Kālakavṛkshīya for guidance. His story is in the Śānti Parva of the Mahābhārata, in the Rājadharmānuśāsana Parva, Chapters 104–106.

The muni taught him that all kingdoms are impermanent, and told him to serve King Janaka of Videha. Kshemadaśī agreed, but he made one firm condition: he would seek his kingdom back only by dharma (righteous means). Kālakavṛkshīya then went to Janaka for him, and Janaka was reconciled with him. Janaka gave Kshemadaśī his daughter in marriage, with fitting gifts.

The loss of the kingdom

Kshemadaśī lost his kingdom. He wandered without a throne, an army or allies, looking for guidance on the right way forward.

Going to Kālakavṛkshīya

He went to the muni Kālakavṛkshīya. The muni was a master of both the path of renunciation and the science of governing.

The teaching he received

Kālakavṛkshīya gave Kshemadaśī a teaching on two levels.

The foundation. All kingdoms are anitya (impermanent). A throne is a trust held for a time, not something owned for ever. A person who understands this can bear loss without being broken by it, and can work to win back what was lost without being bound by attachment to the result.

The practical path. Kshemadaśī was to enter the service of Janaka, king of Videha. He was to approach him with humility, show his ability and character through loyal service, and in this way earn the respect and help that could restore what he had lost. The muni said this was not servility but taking his place wisely on the terms of dharma.

Kshemadaśī’s resolve

Kshemadaśī accepted the whole teaching, including the understanding that things do not last. But he added a firm condition. He would seek his kingdom back only by dharma. Deceit, force against the innocent and wrongful means of pressure were not to be used, however much faster they might bring results.

Janaka makes peace with Kshemadaśī

Kālakavṛkshīya himself acted as go-between. He went to Janaka of Videha for Kshemadaśī and used his own standing in dharma and his good name to bring the two sides together. Janaka was won over by the muni’s help.

When the two were reconciled, Janaka gave Kshemadaśī his daughter in marriage and gave him fitting gifts. This marked the formal return of Kshemadaśī’s dignity and his return to the path of kingship. The account ends with the beginning of his restoration, not its completion.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Rājadharmānuśāsana Parva, Chapters 104–106