Shloka 17
Baka Dālbhya at Avakīrṇa-tīrtha: Rāṣṭra-kṣaya and Release through Prasāda (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 40)
न स शवक्नोति पृथिवीं यत्नवानपि रक्षितुम् । ततः शुश्राव राजा स राक्षसेभ्यो महाभयम्,वे प्रयत्नशील होनेपर भी सम्पूर्ण भूमण्डलकी रक्षा नहीं कर पाते थे। एक दिन राजा विश्वामित्रने सुना कि 'प्रजाको राक्षसोंसे महान् भय प्राप्त हुआ है”
na sa śaknoti pṛthivīṃ yatnavān api rakṣitum | tataḥ śuśrāva rājā sa rākṣasebhyo mahābhayam |
Selbst bei eifrigem Bemühen vermochte er die Erde nicht zu schützen. Da hörte jener König, dass das Volk wegen der Rākṣasas in große Furcht geraten sei.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājadharma: a ruler’s primary obligation is the protection of the realm and the people. When predatory forces (here, rākṣasas) generate widespread fear, the ethical measure of kingship is the capacity to restore safety and order, not merely personal effort or intention.
The narrator states that the king, despite striving, cannot adequately protect the earth/kingdom. Subsequently he hears that the subjects are gripped by great fear caused by rākṣasas, setting up a crisis that demands decisive protective action.