Shloka 17
Brahmopadeśa: Adhipatitva-kathana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, and Kṣetra–Kṣetrajña Viveka
Book 14, Chapter 43
धर्मकामाश्ष राजानो ब्राह्मणा धर्मसेतव: । तस्माद् राजा द्विजातीनां प्रयतेत सम रक्षणे,राजा धर्म-पालनके इच्छुक होते हैं और ब्राह्मण धर्मके सेतु हैं। अत: राजाको चाहिये कि वह सदा ब्राह्मणोंकी रक्षाका प्रयत्न करे
dharmakāmāś ca rājāno brāhmaṇā dharmasetavaḥ | tasmād rājā dvijātīnāṃ prayateta sadā rakṣaṇe ||
Vāyu said: “Kings are meant to be devoted to dharma and rightful aims, and the brāhmaṇas are the very bridge that upholds dharma. Therefore a king should always strive to protect the twice-born, for by safeguarding them he safeguards the continuity of dharma itself.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: a king preserves dharma by actively protecting the dvijas—especially brāhmaṇas—who are described as the sustaining ‘bridge’ of dharma through learning, counsel, and ritual continuity.
Vāyudeva is speaking, offering instruction on ideal governance. He frames the king’s ethical responsibility as safeguarding the social and religious foundations of the realm by ensuring the security and honor of the twice-born.