Shloka 59
Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode
आत्मा रक्ष्यो धनैर्दारैरथवापि निजात्मजैः । अपत्यं धर्मकामार्थं श्रेयस्कामस्य भूपतेः ॥ ५९ ॥
ātmā rakṣyo dhanairdārairathavāpi nijātmajaiḥ | apatyaṃ dharmakāmārthaṃ śreyaskāmasya bhūpateḥ || 59 ||
Oh rey, uno debe protegerse a sí mismo—ya sea con riquezas, con la esposa, o incluso con los propios hijos; pues la descendencia se busca por dharma y fines mundanos, pero para quien anhela el bien supremo (śreyas), el deber primero es salvaguardar el propio ser.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It teaches that while wealth, spouse, and children can serve as supports, the highest priority—especially for one seeking śreyas (ultimate welfare/liberation)—is guarding and disciplining the self (ātmā) through right conduct and discernment.
By shifting reliance away from purely worldly securities toward the inner self aimed at śreyas, it aligns with bhakti’s core move: taking refuge in the highest truth (ultimately Bhagavān) rather than treating family or possessions as final shelter.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is directly taught; the verse is primarily nīti/dharma instruction—prioritizing śreyas-oriented self-governance over dependence on external supports.