Shloka 29
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
स यथा दर्पसहितमधर्म नानुसेवते । तथा वर्तस्व मान्धातत्रिरं चेत् स्थातुमिच्छसि
sa yathā darpa-sahitam adharmam nānusevate | tathā vartasva māndhātar ciraṁ cet sthātum icchasi ||
As one should not indulge in adharma when it is accompanied by arrogance, so should you conduct yourself, O Māndhātṛ, if you wish to remain established for a long time upon the throne.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler who seeks stable, long-lasting sovereignty should avoid arrogance and the unrighteous actions that arise from it; humility and dharmic conduct are presented as the foundation of enduring rule.
Utathya addresses King Māndhātṛ with counsel on royal conduct, warning him that pride (darpa) leads to adharma and that only disciplined, dharmic behavior allows a king to remain firmly established for a long time.