Shloka 33
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
जित्वा संग्रामान् पालयित्वा प्रजाश्न सोम॑ पीत्वा तर्पयित्वा द्विजाग्र्यान् । युक्त्या दण्डं धारयित्वा प्रजानां युद्धे क्षीणो मोदते देवलोके,“राजा हयग्रीव अनेकों युद्ध जीतकर, प्रजाका पालन करके, यज्ञोंमें सोमरस पीकर, श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्णोंको दक्षिणा आदिसे तृप्त करके युक्तिसे प्रजाजनोंकी रक्षाके लिये दण्ड धारण करते हुए युद्धमें मारे गये और अब देवलोकमें सुख भोगते हैं
jित्वा saṅgrāmān pālayitvā prajāḥ somaṁ pītvā tarpayitvā dvijāgryān | yuktyā daṇḍaṁ dhārayitvā prajānāṁ yuddhe kṣīṇo modate devaloke |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Tras vencer muchas batallas, proteger a sus súbditos, beber el Soma en los sacrificios y satisfacer a los más eminentes brāhmaṇas con dones y honores, el rey Hayagrīva—sosteniendo con discernimiento la vara del castigo para salvaguardar al pueblo—cayó en combate. Ahora, en el mundo de los dioses, se regocija».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadharma: a king earns merit by protecting subjects, honoring Brāhmaṇas through proper gifts, performing sacrifices, and wielding daṇḍa (punitive authority) with yukti—measured judgment rather than cruelty. Such disciplined governance and righteous conduct are portrayed as leading to heavenly reward even if the king dies in battle.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Hayagrīva’s life of victories, sacrificial observances, and public protection. Having upheld order through judicious punishment and having fallen in war, he is said to be enjoying happiness in devaloka.