Shloka 26
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
राजा प्रशास्ति धर्मेण स्वकर्मनिरता: प्रजा: । विकर्माणश्च ये केचित् तान् युनक्ति स्वकर्मसु,राजा अपने-अपने वर्णाश्रमोचित कर्ममें लगी हुई प्रजाका धर्मपूर्वक शासन करता है और जो कोई अपने कर्मोंसे गिरकर विपरीत दिशामें जा रहे हों उन्हें पुनः अपने कर्तव्यके पालनमें लगाता है
rājā praśāsti dharmeṇa svakarmaniratāḥ prajāḥ | vikarmāṇaś ca ye kecit tān yunakti svakarmasu ||
The king governs his subjects in accordance with dharma, keeping the people steadfast in their proper duties. And if any among them fall into wrongful conduct (vikarma), he restrains and redirects them, re-establishing them in their own rightful work and obligations.
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines righteous kingship: a king must govern according to dharma by supporting people in their proper duties (svakarma) and correcting those who deviate into wrongful action (vikarma), restoring them to disciplined, appropriate conduct.
In the Vyādha’s instruction on dharma, he explains the king’s role in maintaining moral and social order: the ruler protects and guides the community by encouraging rightful occupations and restraining misconduct, thereby upholding dharma in the realm.