Shloka 79
The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada
Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma
राजानस्ते तु विज्ञेया ये प्रजापालने स्थिताः । गुर्विणी ह्यष्टमासीया शिशवश्चाष्टवत्सराः ॥ ७९ ॥
rājānaste tu vijñeyā ye prajāpālane sthitāḥ | gurviṇī hyaṣṭamāsīyā śiśavaścāṣṭavatsarāḥ || 79 ||
Wisse: Als wahre „Könige“ gelten jene, die beständig im Schutz ihrer Untertanen stehen—besonders der Frau im achten Schwangerschaftsmonat und der Kinder bis zum achten Lebensjahr.
Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition of instruction)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It defines kingship as dharmic guardianship (prajā-pālana): spiritual merit and legitimacy arise from protecting the most vulnerable—pregnant women and young children—rather than from power or birth.
By elevating compassionate protection as a sacred duty, it aligns righteous action with devotion: serving and safeguarding living beings is treated as service to Dharma, which supports a Vishnu-centered bhakti life grounded in mercy and responsibility.
While not a technical Vedanga passage, it applies dharma-shastra reasoning: it sets a clear ethical rule for governance and conduct—special protection for those in vulnerable life-stages—useful for practical decision-making in society and law.