Shloka 36
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
अद्टक उवाच स राजास्त्वकृतप्रज्ञ: कामवृत्तश्न पापकृत् । अधर्मेणाभिशास्तूर्वी यस्ते हरति पुष्करम्
aṣṭaka uvāca | sa rājāstv akṛtaprajñaḥ kāmavṛttaś ca pāpakṛt | adharmeṇābhiśāstūrvīṃ yas te harati puṣkaram ||
قال أَشْتَكَة: «ليحكمْ ذلك الملك—الذي لا بصيرة له، تقوده الشهوة، وصانعُ الإثم—هذه الأرض بغير حقّ؛ هو الذي سلبَ لوتسك.»
अद्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames unethical rulership as rooted in inner defects—lack of discernment, desire-driven conduct, and sinful action—and marks governance obtained or exercised through adharma as morally blameworthy.
Aṣṭaka speaks a denunciatory statement about an unnamed king who has taken away someone’s lotus (puṣkara), characterizing him as foolish and desire-led, and depicting his rule over the earth as unrighteous.