Shloka 38
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
अनुगृह्नत् प्रजा: सर्वा स्वधर्मनिरता: सदा । (पात्येव राजा जनक: पितृवज्जनसत्तम ।) ये चैव मां प्रशंसन्ति ये च निन्दन्ति मानवा:,सर्वान् सुपरिणीतेन कर्मणा तोषयाम्यहम् । नरश्रेष्ठ] राजा जनक सदा स्वथधर्ममें तत्पर रहनेवाली सम्पूर्ण प्रजापर अनुग्रह रखते हुए उसका पिताकी भाँति सदा पालन करते हैं। जो लोग मेरी प्रशंसा करते हैं और जो निन्दा करते हैं, उन सबको अपने सद्व्यवहारसे संतुष्ट रखता हूँ
anugṛhṇat prajāḥ sarvāḥ svadharmaniratāḥ sadā | (pāty eva rājā janakaḥ pitṛvaj janasattama |) ye caiva māṃ praśaṃsanti ye ca nindanti mānavāḥ, sarvān supariṇītena karmaṇā toṣayāmy aham ||
‘Ever showing favor to all his subjects—who are always devoted to their own duties—King Janaka, best of men, protects them like a father. Likewise, whether people praise me or blame me, I keep them all content through conduct that is well-governed and rightly carried out.’
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches dharmic steadiness expressed as benevolent, well-regulated action: like King Janaka who protects subjects as a father, one should act rightly and consistently so that society is sustained—remaining even-minded toward both praise and blame.
The hunter-instructor (Vyādha) cites King Janaka as an exemplar of righteous living and governance, explaining that he himself follows a similar ethic: regardless of how people judge him, he focuses on proper conduct that benefits and satisfies all.