Shloka 58
न हि केवलधर्मात्मा पृथिवीं जातु कश्नन | पार्थिवो व्यजयद् राजन् न भूतिं न पुन: श्रियम्,“महाराज! केवल धर्ममें ही लगे रहनेवाले किसी भी नरेशने आजतक न तो कभी पृथ्वीपर विजय पायी है और न ऐश्वर्य तथा लक्ष्मीको ही प्राप्त किया है
na hi kevaladharmātmā pṛthivīṃ jātu kaścana | pārthivo vyajayad rājan na bhūtiṃ na punaḥ śriyam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, no earthly ruler who is devoted solely to dharma has ever, at any time, conquered the earth—nor has he thereby attained worldly prosperity or royal splendor.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a tension in rājadharma: exclusive absorption in personal righteousness, without the strategic pursuit of artha (power/resources), does not by itself secure sovereignty or prosperity. A king must integrate dharma with effective governance and statecraft to sustain order and success.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses a king and makes a general observation about rulers: mere devotion to dharma alone has not historically led to conquest of the earth or attainment of prosperity and royal fortune, implying the need for a broader, pragmatic approach to kingship.