Shloka 6
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
वामदेव उवाच धर्ममेवानुवर्तस्व न धर्माद् विद्यते परम् धर्मे स्थिता हि राजानो जयन्ति पृथिवीमिमाम्
Vāmadeva uvāca: dharmam evānuvartasva na dharmād vidyate param | dharme sthitā hi rājāno jayanti pṛthivīm imām ||
Vāmadeva dijo: «Oh rey, sigue sólo el dharma. Nada se conoce más alto que el dharma. Pues los reyes que permanecen firmes en el dharma son quienes de verdad conquistan toda esta tierra.»
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is the highest guiding principle for a ruler; true and lasting victory—political and moral—belongs to kings who remain firmly grounded in dharma rather than expediency or mere force.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, the sage Vāmadeva addresses a king and urges him to adhere to dharma, presenting dharma as the source of legitimate sovereignty and successful rule.