Shloka 54
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
समुद्रसेनस्तु नृपस्तेषामेवाभवद् गणात् । विश्रुत: सागरान्तायां क्षितौ धर्मार्थतत्त्ववित्,उन्हींमेंसे सातवाँ असुर राजा समुद्रसेन हुआ, जो समुद्रपर्यन्त पृथ्वीपर सब ओर विख्यात और धर्म एवं अर्थतत्त्वका ज्ञाता था
samudrasenastu nṛpastēṣāmevābhavad gaṇāt | viśrutaḥ sāgarāntāyāṃ kṣitau dharmārthatattvavit ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Among that very group there arose a king named Samudrasena. He was renowned throughout the earth up to the ocean’s bounds, and he was a knower of the true principles of dharma and artha—right conduct and sound governance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ideal of rulership: true renown is grounded not merely in power or territory, but in understanding and applying dharma (moral order) together with artha (practical welfare and polity).
Vaiśampāyana continues a genealogical/accounting passage, introducing a particular king—Samudrasena—describing his widespread fame and his competence in the principles of righteous conduct and effective governance.