Shloka 40
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
न हि जात्ववमन्तव्यो मनुष्य इति भूमिप: । महती देवता होषा नररूपेण तिष्ठति,“यह भी एक मनुष्य है” ऐसा समझकर कभी भी पृथ्वीपालक नरेशकी अवहेलना नहीं करनी चाहिये; क्योंकि राजा मनुष्यरूपमें एक महान् देवता है
na hi jātvavamantavyo manuṣya iti bhūmipaḥ | mahatī devatā hy eṣā nara-rūpeṇa tiṣṭhati ||
O king, one should never, at any time, treat a ruler with contempt by thinking, “He is only a human being.” For the king stands in human form as a great divine power; therefore, reverence toward royal authority is an ethical duty in accord with dharma, not mere social courtesy.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not belittle a king as “merely human.” In the framework of rājadharma, royal authority is treated as a manifestation of divine power that upholds order; therefore, contempt toward the ruler is presented as an ethical fault.
Vasumanā addresses a king and instructs him on proper conduct toward rulers, emphasizing the sacral status of kingship and the duty of reverence that supports governance and societal stability.