Shloka 18

Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction

Devanagari script

धर्मेण पालयन्नुर्वीं प्रजा: शीलेन रञ्जयन् । वर्तमान: सम: स्वेषु श्रेय: कीर्तिमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

dharmeṇa pālayann urvīṁ prajāḥ śīlena rañjayan vartamānaḥ samaḥ sveṣu śreyaḥ kīrtim avāpsyasi

Translation

إن أنتَ حميتَ الأرض بالدارما، وأرضيتَ الرعية بحسن الخُلُق، وساويتَ بين أقربائك جميعًا، فستنال يقينًا الخير الأسمى والمجد.

Synonyms

• धर्मेण: by righteousness
• धर्मेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• पालयन्: protecting
• पालयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पालय्/पाल् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘protecting/ruling’

• उर्वीम्: the earth
• उर्वीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उर्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रजाः: the subjects
• प्रजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन

• शीलेन: by good conduct
• शीलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• रञ्जयन्: pleasing
• रञ्जयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रञ्ज् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘pleasing’

• वर्तमानः: conducting yourself
• वर्तमानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त आत्मनेपदी वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (Present middle participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘conducting oneself/being’

• समः: impartial/equanimous
• समः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (to ‘you’)

• स्वेषु: among your own
• स्वेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), बहुवचन; ‘among your own (people)’

• श्रेयः: welfare
• श्रेयः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; ‘betterment/welfare’

• कीर्तिम्: fame
• कीर्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• अवाप्स्यसि: you will attain
• अवाप्स्यसि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Purport

Akrūra told Dhṛtarāṣṭra that even though he had usurped the throne, if he now ruled according to the principles of dharma and behaved properly, he could be successful.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about righteous leadership (rājadharma)?

This verse teaches that a ruler should protect the land according to dharma, win the hearts of citizens through personal virtue, and remain impartial—thereby gaining true welfare and enduring fame.

Why did Krishna speak this instruction in Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 49?

In this section, Kṛṣṇa gives guidance on proper conduct and governance, emphasizing dharmic rule, moral character, and impartiality as the foundation of a stable and respected reign.

Practical application of this shloka’s leadership principle in modern life?

Lead with integrity, serve and protect those under your care, avoid favoritism, and let ethical principles—not ego or bias—guide decisions; reputation and real success follow naturally.