Shloka 113
राज्ञो धर्मप्रधानस्य राष्ट्रे वसति निर्भय: । कहते हैं समुद्रके तटपर किसी धर्मप्रधान राजाके राज्यमें एक प्रचुर धन-धान्यसे सम्पन्न वैश्य रहता था। वह यज्ञ-यागादि करनेवाला, दानपति, क्षमाशील, अपने वर्णानुकूल कर्ममें तत्पर, पवित्र, बहुत-से पुत्रवाला, संतानप्रेमी और समस्त प्राणियोंपर दया करनेवाला था
sañjaya uvāca | rājño dharmapradhānasya rāṣṭre vasati nirbhayaḥ |
Sanjaya said: In the kingdom of a king for whom dharma was foremost, there lived a man without fear. On the seashore, within the realm of such a righteous ruler, there dwelt a wealthy vaiśya—abundant in grain and riches—devoted to sacrifices and rites, generous, forgiving, diligent in the duties of his own social order, pure in conduct, blessed with many sons, affectionate toward his children, and compassionate toward all living beings.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical ideal of governance: when a ruler places dharma first, people can live without fear. The accompanying description highlights the complementary ideal of a virtuous householder—prosperous yet devoted to yajña, charity, forgiveness, purity, family responsibility, and compassion—showing how social well-being arises from both righteous rule and righteous conduct.
Sanjaya begins a descriptive episode by stating that, in the realm of a dharma-centered king, a man lived fearlessly. The narrative then identifies him as a prosperous vaiśya living near the seashore and lists his virtues (ritual devotion, generosity, forbearance, adherence to his duties, purity, many children, affection, and kindness to all beings), setting the moral and social context for what follows.