Shloka 65
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
दशाश्वमेधानाजलद्ले स्वन्नपानाप्तदक्षिणान् । निरर्गलान् सर्वमेधान् पुत्रवत् पालयन् प्रजा:,जैसे चमड़ेको अंगोमें लपेट लिया जाता है, उसी प्रकार जिन्होंने अपने रथके महान् घोषद्वारा इस सारी पृथ्वीको व्याप्त कर लिया था, जो प्रधान-प्रधान शत्रुओंका वध करनेवाले और महारथी वीर थे, जिन्होंने प्रजाका पुत्रकी भाँति पालन करते हुए सुन्दर अन्न, पान तथा प्रचुर दक्षिणासे युक्त एवं विघ्नरहित दस अश्वमेध-यज्ञोंका अनुष्ठान किया और कितने ही सर्वमेध-यज्ञ सम्पन्न किये, वे राजा उशीनरके वीर पुत्र सर्वत्र विख्यात हैं, गंगाजीके स्रोतमें जितने सिकताकण बहते हैं, उतनी ही अर्थात् असंख्य गौएँ उशीनरकुमारने अपने यज्ञमें ब्राह्मणोंको दी थीं
daśāśvamedhān ajaladle svannapānāptadakṣiṇān | nirargalān sarvamedhān putravat pālayan prajāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: He performed ten Aśvamedha sacrifices—unobstructed and flawless—rich in fine food and drink and accompanied by abundant priestly fees, while protecting his subjects as a father protects his children. He also completed many Sarvamedha sacrifices. The passage highlights the ideal of kingship grounded in dharma: prosperity and ritual generosity are presented as the fruit of righteous governance and care for the people.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is to protect the people with parental care and to uphold social-religious order through righteous, well-endowed sacrifices; generosity (dakṣiṇā) and unobstructed ritual performance are portrayed as signs of ethical sovereignty.
Vaiśampāyana describes a ruler’s exemplary conduct: he governs the subjects like a father and performs major royal sacrifices—ten Aśvamedhas and many Sarvamedhas—complete with ample provisions and gifts, emphasizing fame earned through protection and generosity.