Shloka 12
मარკण्डेयागमनम् तथा सत्यव्रत-उपदेशः
Arrival of Mārkaṇḍeya and Counsel on Truth-Vows
चरन् नै:श्रेयसं धर्म प्रजापालनकारितम् | नाध्यगच्छद् बलिलेके तीर्थमन्यत्र वै द्विजात्,“राजा बलिको प्रजापालनजनित कल्याणकारी धर्मका आचरण करनेके लिये ब्राह्मणका आश्रय लेनेके सिवा दूसरा कोई उपाय नहीं जान पड़ा था
caran naiḥśreyasaṃ dharmaṃ prajā-pālana-kāritam | nādhyagacchad balileke tīrtham anyatra vai dvijāt |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Mientras se esforzaba por practicar ese dharma que otorga el bien supremo y se manifiesta en la protección y el cuidado de los súbditos, el rey Bali no halló otro amparo—ningún otro lugar sagrado—fuera del consejo y abrigo de un “dos veces nacido”».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the pursuit of niḥśreyasa (the highest good) through righteous governance—especially the protection and welfare of subjects—requires guidance grounded in Brahmanical learning and discipline; a king should seek counsel from the wise rather than rely solely on power or expediency.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Bali’s effort to practice a welfare-producing, kingly dharma. In doing so, Bali recognizes that he has no better ‘tīrtha’ (refuge/resource) than turning to a dvija (Brahmin) for direction and support.