Shloka 20
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
तस्माद्धि राजशार्दूल धर्म: श्रेष्ठतर: स्मृत: । स राजा य: प्रजा: शास्ति साधुकृत् पुरुषर्षभ
tasmāddhi rājaśārdūla dharmaḥ śreṣṭhataraḥ smṛtaḥ | sa rājā yaḥ prajāḥ śāsti sādhukṛt puruṣarṣabha ||
Therefore, O tiger among kings, Dharma is remembered as the highest principle. He alone is truly a king—O bull among men—who governs and disciplines his subjects while himself acting rightly and upholding good conduct.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is the supreme standard, and legitimate kingship is defined by righteous governance—ruling the people through justice and discipline while personally embodying good conduct.
Utathya addresses a ruler with honorifics and instructs him on rajadharma, asserting that a king’s identity and authority rest on upholding Dharma and governing subjects ethically.