Shloka 9
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Sarvadamana’s Childhood and Śakuntalā’s Claim at Court
स्वथर्मे रेमिरे वर्णा दैवे कर्मणि निःस्पृहा: । तमाश्रित्य महीपालमासंश्रैवाकुतो भया:,सब वर्णोंके लोग अपने-अपने धर्मके पालनमें रत रहते थे। देवाराधन आदि कर्मोंको निष्कामभावसे ही करते थे। राजा दुष्यन्तका आश्रय लेकर समस्त प्रजा निर्भय हो गयी थी
svadharme remire varṇā daive karmaṇi niḥspṛhāḥ | tam āśritya mahīpālam āsaṁśrā iva akuto-bhayāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Los órdenes sociales se complacían en cumplir cada cual su propio deber, y realizaban el culto a los dioses y los ritos sagrados sin deseo egoísta. Amparándose en aquel rey, protector de la tierra, el pueblo quedó seguro—como quien ha cruzado más allá de toda duda—libre de temor por doquier.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a ruler upholds protection and justice, society naturally settles into svadharma: people perform their duties and sacred rites without selfish craving (niḥspṛhatā), and public life becomes stable and fearless (akuto-bhayatā).
Vaiśampāyana describes an ideal condition under the king’s shelter: the varṇas are content in their own roles, religious acts are done without desire for reward, and the populace feels secure because the king functions as a true mahīpāla (protector of the realm).