Shloka 36
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
अद्टक उवाच स राजास्त्वकृतप्रज्ञ: कामवृत्तश्न पापकृत् । अधर्मेणाभिशास्तूर्वी यस्ते हरति पुष्करम्
aṣṭaka uvāca | sa rājāstv akṛtaprajñaḥ kāmavṛttaś ca pāpakṛt | adharmeṇābhiśāstūrvīṃ yas te harati puṣkaram ||
Aṣṭaka dit : «Que ce roi—sans discernement, poussé par le désir et auteur de péché—règne sur cette terre par des voies injustes, lui qui t’a ravi ton lotus.»
अद्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames unethical rulership as rooted in inner defects—lack of discernment, desire-driven conduct, and sinful action—and marks governance obtained or exercised through adharma as morally blameworthy.
Aṣṭaka speaks a denunciatory statement about an unnamed king who has taken away someone’s lotus (puṣkara), characterizing him as foolish and desire-led, and depicting his rule over the earth as unrighteous.