Shloka 15
Āṇīmāṇḍavya–Upākhyāna
The Account of Āṇīmāṇḍavya and the Birth of Vidura
वध: पशुवराहाणां तथैव मृगपक्षिणाम् । शान्तनौ पृथिवीपाले नावर्तत तथा नृूप,जनमेजय! महाराज शान्तनुके इस पृथ्वीका पालन करते समय पशुओं, वराहों, मृगों तथा पक्षियोंका वध नहीं होता था
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
vadhaḥ paśu-varāhāṇāṃ tathaiva mṛga-pakṣiṇām |
śāntanau pṛthivī-pāle nāvartata tathā nṛpa janamejaya ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: O König Janamejaya, solange Śāntanu die Erde als ihr Herrscher schützte, fand kein Töten von Tieren statt — weder von Rindern und anderem Vieh, noch von Wildschweinen, Hirschen oder Vögeln.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal of kingship: a righteous ruler restrains violence in society, so that even the vulnerable—animals and birds—are safe. It links good governance with non-harm (ahiṃsā) and protection of life.
Vaiśampāyana describes the quality of King Śāntanu’s rule to Janamejaya, emphasizing that during Śāntanu’s reign the slaughter of various creatures did not occur, highlighting the peace and moral order of that period.