Shloka 3.33.19
शूर्पणखाया रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः (Surpanakha’s Political Admonition to Ravana)
अपभुक्तं यथा वासस्स्रजो वा मृदिता यथा।एवं राज्यात्परिभ्रष्टस्समर्थोऽपि निरर्थकः।।।।
śuṣkaiḥ kāṣṭhair bhavet kāryaṃ loṣṭair api ca pāṃsubhiḥ | na tu sthānāt paribhraṣṭaiḥ kāryaṃ syād vasudhādhipaiḥ ||
Even dry wood, clods of earth, or dust may still serve some purpose; but a king cast down from his station is of no use for any undertaking.
Like a piece of cloth that is worn and discarded, like garlands put on and crushed, a king dislodged from the kingdom is worthless even if he is capable.
Office and legitimacy matter in rajadharma: losing rightful station through misrule makes even a capable person ineffective for protecting and ordering society.
The speaker uses a practical analogy to stress the stakes of governance: downfall strips a ruler of functional value and authority.
Steadiness in duty and conduct: preserving one’s rightful position through dharmic rule.