Shloka 11
Sūrya-stava: Dhaumya’s Counsel and the Aṣṭaśata-nāma of Sūrya
भीमेन कार्तवीर्येण वैन्येन नहुषेण च । तपोयोगसमाधिस्थैरुद्धता ह्यापद: प्रजा:,भीम, कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन, वेनपुत्र पृथु तथा नहुष आदि नरेशोंने तपस्या, योग और समाधिमें स्थित होकर भारी आपत्तियोंसे प्रजाको उबारा है
bhīmena kārtavīryeṇa vainyena nahuṣeṇa ca | tapoyogasamādhisthair uddhatā hy āpadaḥ prajāḥ ||
Dhaumya said: “By Bhīma, by Kārtavīrya, by Vainya (Pṛthu, son of Vena), and by Nahuṣa as well—kings established in austerity, disciplined yoga, and deep meditative absorption—great calamities were indeed lifted away from the people. Thus, inner mastery and righteous exertion become a ruler’s power to protect and restore society in times of distress.”
धौग्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a ruler’s true capacity to rescue society from संकट (āpadaḥ) arises from inner discipline—tapas (austerity), yoga (self-mastery), and samādhi (steady concentration). Ethical leadership is grounded in personal restraint and spiritual strength, which then expresses itself as protection of the prajā (subjects).
Dhaumya cites exemplary ancient kings—Bhīma, Kārtavīrya, Pṛthu (Vainya), and Nahuṣa—to encourage the listeners by precedent: in earlier times, such rulers, established in spiritual discipline, removed great dangers afflicting the people. The statement functions as an instructive reminder of ideal royal conduct during hardship.