Shloka 25
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतो भया: । विधिवद् दक्षिणावन्ति यदि राजा न पालयेत्,यदि राजा पालन न करे तो उनमें विधिपूर्वक दक्षिणाओंसे युक्त वार्षिक यज्ञ बेखटके न चल सकें
na saṁvatsara-satrāṇi tiṣṭheyuḥ akuto-bhayāḥ | vidhivad dakṣiṇāvanti yadi rājā na pālayet ||
Si el rey no brinda protección y no sostiene el orden, entonces las sesiones sacrificiales de un año entero, aunque se celebren conforme a la norma y estén provistas de los debidos dones sacerdotales, no pueden proseguir sin temor. La enseñanza es que la prosperidad del rito y la vida religiosa pública dependen de una realeza justa que garantice seguridad y estabilidad.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even correctly performed rituals with proper dakṣiṇā cannot flourish in an atmosphere of insecurity; the king’s primary dharma is protection (pālana), without which religious and social institutions become vulnerable and fearful.
Vasumanā is emphasizing a point of rājadharma: the continuity of major public sacrifices—especially long, communal rites like year-long satras—depends on the king’s effective governance and protection; without it, fear disrupts even well-ordered ritual life.