Shloka 17
Sarasvatī–Tārkṣya Saṃvāda: Agnihotra-vidhi, Dāna-phala, and Mokṣa-prasaṅga (सरस्वती–तार्क्ष्यसंवादः)
अधीतमग्रे चरता व्रतानि सम्यग धनुर्वेदमवाप्यकृत्स्नम् । क्षात्रेण धर्मेण वसूनि लब्ध्वा सर्वे हमवाप्ता: क्रतव: पुराणा:,“आपने सबसे पहले ब्रह्मचर्य आदि व्रतोंका पालन करते हुए सम्पूर्ण वेदोंका अध्ययन किया है। तत्पश्चात् सम्पूर्ण धनुर्वेदकी शिक्षा प्राप्त की है। इसके बाद क्षत्रिय-धर्मके अनुसार धनका उपार्जन करके समस्त प्राचीन यज्ञोंका अनुष्ठान किया है। नरेश्वर! जिसमें गँवारोंकी आसक्ति हुआ करती है, उस स्त्री-सम्बन्धी भोगमें आपका अनुराग नहीं है। आप कामनासे प्रेरित होकर कुछ नहीं करते हैं और धनके लोभसे धर्मका त्याग नहीं करते हैं। इसी प्रभावसे धर्मराज कहलाते हैं
adhītam agre caratā vratāni samyag dhanurvedam avāpya kṛtsnam | kṣātreṇa dharmeṇa vasūni labdhvā sarve ham avāptāḥ kratavaḥ purāṇāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “First, while observing disciplines such as brahmacarya, you studied the sacred learning in full. Thereafter you mastered the entire science of archery. Then, following the warrior’s code, you acquired wealth and performed all the ancient sacrificial rites. Thus your life shows a steady ascent—self-restraint, learning, martial competence, rightful prosperity, and the completion of venerable yajñas—marking you as one who acts from dharma rather than from craving or greed.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ladder for a ruler: disciplined self-restraint and study first, then mastery of martial skills, then righteous acquisition of wealth, and finally the performance of traditional sacrifices—showing action guided by dharma rather than by desire or greed.
Vaiśampāyana praises the addressed king/hero by recounting his life-pattern: he observed vows, completed his learning, mastered dhanurveda, gained wealth through kṣatriya-duty, and accomplished the ancient yajñas—establishing his reputation for principled conduct.