Shloka 24
मोक्षोपाय-निर्णयः
Determination of the Means to Liberation
राजानो लोकयात्रार्थ तप्यन्ते परमं तप: । तेडपत्रपन्ति तादृग्भ्यस्तथावृत्ता भवन्ति च,बहुत-से नरेश, लोगोंकी जीवनयात्राका यथावत् रूपसे निर्वाह हो, इस उददेश्यसे बड़ी भारी तपस्या करते हैं। वे राजा अपने राज्यमें चोर-डाकुओंके होनेसे लज्जाका अनुभव करते हैं। इसीलिये प्रजाको शुद्ध, सदाचारी एवं सुखी बनानेकी इच्छासे वैसी तपस्यामें प्रवृत्त होते हैं
rājāno lokayātrārthaṁ tapyante paramaṁ tapaḥ | te ḍapatrapanti tādṛgbhyas tathāvṛttā bhavanti ca ||
Humatsena said: “Kings undertake the highest austerities for the sake of the world’s orderly continuance. They feel shame when their realm harbors thieves and robbers; therefore, desiring to make their subjects pure, well-conducted, and happy, they commit themselves to such disciplined exertion.”
हुमत्सेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s true ‘tapas’ is disciplined governance for public welfare: maintaining social order (lokayātrā), preventing crime, and cultivating the moral and material well-being of the subjects. Shame at disorder becomes a moral spur toward responsible rule.
Humat-sena is explaining why rulers undertake severe discipline: not for personal display, but to ensure the smooth functioning of society. He frames effective law-and-order and the uplift of the people as a form of royal austerity.