Shloka 35
Śikṣā-nirūpaṇa (Exposition of Discipline): Son’s Marriage, Paternal Duty, and Royal Administration
गोपालो नगराकांक्षी निर्गुणस्तूपदेशकः । ऋत्विग्वा शास्त्रहीनश्च मा मे राज्ये वसेदिह ॥ ३५ ॥
gopālo nagarākāṃkṣī nirguṇastūpadeśakaḥ | ṛtvigvā śāstrahīnaśca mā me rājye vasediha || 35 ||
Let no cowherd who longs for city life, no man devoid of virtue who yet poses as a teacher, and no priestly officiant (ṛtvij)—nor anyone lacking scriptural learning—dwell here in my kingdom.
Narada (as a didactic voice within the Uttara-Bhaga narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It stresses dharma-based social order: a righteous realm should exclude hypocrisy, vice, and ignorance—especially those who claim authority (teachers or priests) without virtue or śāstric grounding.
Bhakti is safeguarded by integrity and right instruction; the verse warns that devotion and religious life are harmed when unqualified “teachers” or śāstra-less priests mislead people.
It implies the necessity of śāstric competence for ritual specialists (ṛtviks), which in practice depends on Vedanga disciplines—especially Vyākaraṇa (grammar) for correct mantra usage and Kalpa (ritual procedure) for proper performance.