Shloka 37
धन-राजधर्म संवादः
Discourse on Wealth and Royal Duty
शाश्वतो5यं भूतिपथो नास्यान्तमनुशुश्रुम । महान् दाशरथ: पन्था मा राजन् कुपथं गम:
śāśvato ’yaṃ bhūtipatho nāsyāntam anuśuśruma | mahān dāśarathaḥ panthā mā rājan kupathaṃ gamaḥ ||
Arjuna said: “This is the eternal path that leads to prosperity and well-being; we have never heard of its end. O King, this is the great highway—the royal road, broad and time-honored. Do not, O ruler, turn aside onto a base and ruinous path.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arjuna urges adherence to the time-tested, dharmic ‘main road’ of righteous conduct—especially appropriate for rulers and kṣatriyas—and warns against choosing a degrading, harmful alternative (kupatha) even when tempted by expediency.
Arjuna addresses a king, affirming that the welfare-bringing path of dharma is ancient and without known end, and counsels the ruler to remain on this honored ‘highway’ rather than deviating into an ignoble course.