Shloka 32
स्त्रियश्चापुरुषा मार्ग सर्वालड्कारभूषिता: । निर्भया: प्रतिपद्यन्ते यदि रक्षति भूमिप:,यदि पृथ्वीका पालन करनेवाला राजा अपने राज्यकी रक्षा करता है तो समस्त आभूषणोंसे विभूषित हुई सुन्दरी स्त्रियाँ किसी पुरुषको साथ लिये बिना भी निर्भय होकर मार्गसे आती-जाती हैं
striyaś cāpuruṣā mārgaṁ sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitāḥ | nirbhayāḥ pratipadyante yadi rakṣati bhūmipaḥ ||
Vasumanā said: When the king, protector of the earth, truly safeguards his realm, women adorned with every ornament can travel the roads without fear, even without a man accompanying them. The verse presents public safety as a visible measure of righteous kingship: the ruler’s dharma is proven by a society where the vulnerable move freely and security is maintained through just protection rather than private force.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is to ensure effective protection of the realm; the practical sign of good governance is that even those most exposed to harm—here, unaccompanied women—can move about safely and without fear.
In the Shanti Parva’s discussion of राजधर्म (the duties of rulers), Vasumanā states a criterion of righteous rule: when the king properly guards the kingdom, public roads become secure, and ordinary social life—including travel—continues without intimidation.