Shloka 17
यत्त्वेव राज्ञो ज्यायिष्ठं कार्याणां तद् ब्रवीमि ते,अब मैं राजाके कार्योमें जो सबसे श्रेष्ठ है, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ। जनेश्वर! तुम धैर्ययुक्त बल और दानके द्वारा स्वर्गलोकपर विजय प्राप्त करो। जिसके पास बल और ओज है, वही मनुष्य धर्माचरणमें समर्थ होता है
yattveva rājño jyāyiṣṭhaṃ kāryāṇāṃ tad bravīmi te | janasvara! tvaṃ dhairyayukta-bala-dānair svargalokam abhibhūya jayaṃ prāpnuhi | yasya balaṃ ca ojaś ca sa eva manuṣyo dharmācaraṇe samarthaḥ ||
Śaunaka said: “I shall tell you what is truly the foremost of a king’s duties. O lord of men, by steadfast courage, strength, and generosity, win victory over the heavenly world. For the one who possesses strength and vital energy (ojas) alone is capable of sustained practice of dharma.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the highest royal duty as cultivating and exercising steadfast courage, strength, and generosity, because effective dharma-practice requires inner vigor (ojas) and practical power (bala), not merely intention.
Śaunaka addresses a ruler (‘lord of men’) and begins outlining the foremost royal responsibilities, urging him to pursue merit and excellence through fortitude, strength, and charitable giving, presented as the basis for conquering even heavenly attainments.