Shloka 36
यस्य वृत्तं नमस्यन्ति स्वर्गस्थस्यापि मानवा: । पौरजानपदामात्या: स राजा राजसत्तम:,स्वर्गलोकमें रहनेपर भी जिसके चरित्रको नगर और जनपदके मनुष्य एवं मन्त्री मस्तक झुकाते हैं, वही राजा समस्त नरपतियोंमें सबसे श्रेष्ठ है
yasya vṛttaṃ namasyanti svargasthasyāpi mānavāḥ | paurajānapadāmātyāḥ sa rājā rājasattamaḥ ||
Vyāsa said: Even when he dwells in heaven, the people of the city and countryside, along with the ministers, bow their heads to the memory of whose conduct—such a king is the best among rulers. The mark of true sovereignty is not mere power, but a character so righteous and beneficial that it commands reverence even after death.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s true excellence lies in righteous conduct (vṛtta). When a ruler’s life benefits and protects society, his character earns enduring reverence—from citizens, rural subjects, and ministers—even after his death.
Vyāsa states a criterion for judging kings: the foremost ruler is the one whose conduct is so exemplary that people across the realm and the royal counselors continue to honor him even when he is ‘in heaven,’ i.e., after his passing.