Shloka 29
धन-राजधर्म संवादः
Discourse on Wealth and Royal Duty
इति देवा व्यवसिता वेदवादाश्न शाश्वता: । अधीयते<थध्यापयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति च
iti devā vyavasitā vedavādāś ca śāśvatāḥ | adhīyate 'tha adhyāpayante yajante yājayanti ca |
Arjuna said: “Thus the gods have determined, and thus stands the eternal doctrine proclaimed by the Vedas: by wealth the twice-born study and teach the Vedic lore; by wealth they perform sacrifices and cause sacrifices to be performed. In the same way, kings—having conquered others in battle and brought back their riches—use that wealth to undertake every auspicious rite. Indeed, we do not see any king possessing wealth that has not been obtained through harming others.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension in dharma: Vedic-ritual life (study, teaching, sacrifice) depends on wealth, yet royal wealth is often acquired through conquest and harm. It raises an ethical problem about the sources of prosperity used for ‘auspicious’ acts.
Arjuna speaks, citing what is presented as an established, Veda-backed principle: wealth enables religious and social duties. He then points to the practical reality of kingship—wealth commonly comes from defeating others—thereby questioning the moral purity of royal resources used for righteous works.