Shloka 39
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
ततो राजा तयो: पादावभिवाद्य महात्मनो: । प्रत्याजगाम स्वपुरं धर्म चैवाचरद् भूशम्,तदनन्तर राजा दम्भोद्भधव उन दोनों महात्माओंके चरणोंमें प्रणाम करके अपनी राजधानीमें लौट आये और विशेषरूपसे धर्मका आचरण करने लगे
tato rājā tayoḥ pādāv abhivādya mahātmanoḥ | pratyājagāma svapuraṃ dharmaṃ caivācarad bhūśam ||
Then the king, having bowed at the feet of those two great-souled men, returned to his own capital; thereafter he devoted himself earnestly to the practice of dharma, living with heightened righteousness and restraint.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Respect for the virtuous and learned (shown by bowing at their feet) should lead to inner transformation: the proper response to good counsel and holy association is a renewed, earnest practice of dharma in one’s own sphere of responsibility.
After meeting two revered great-souled figures, the king pays them formal homage and then returns to his capital. The verse highlights the consequence of that encounter: he begins to observe dharma more intensely in his rule and personal conduct.