Shloka 1.51.17

शतानन्दोपदेशः — Śatānanda’s Welcome to Rāma and the Prelude to Viśvāmitra’s History

Devanagari script

राजाऽभूदेष धर्मात्मा दीर्घकालमरिन्दम:।धर्मज्ञ: कृतविद्यश्च प्रजानां च हिते रत:।।।।

Transliteration

rājā ’bhūd eṣa dharmātmā dīrgha-kālam arindamaḥ | dharmajñaḥ kṛta-vidyaś ca prajānāṁ ca hite rataḥ ||

Translation

This king reigned for a long time—righteous in spirit, a subduer of foes; a knower of Dharma, accomplished in learning, and devoted to the welfare of his subjects.

Context

This righteous-minded sage, subduer of enemies, knower of dharma knowledgeable inall branches of learning, devoted to the welfare of his subjects ruled as a king for long.

Characters & Entities

• Śatānanda
• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is presented as rāja-dharma: the king’s legitimacy rests on righteousness, learning, protection from enemies, and active commitment to the people’s welfare.

What is the narrative situation?

Śatānanda begins Viśvāmitra’s biography by describing his earlier phase as a capable and dharmic ruler before his later ascetic transformation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s public-mindedness: governance oriented toward prajā-hita (the good of subjects), showing that power is meant for protection and welfare, not self-indulgence.