Shloka 13
Marutta–Indra Rivalry and Bṛhaspati’s Priestly Refusal (मरुत्तेन्द्रस्पर्धा—बृहस्पतेः पौरोहित्यनिश्चयः)
अविक्षिन्नाम शत्रुंजित् स वशे कृतवान् महीम् । विक्रमेण गुणैश्वैव पितेवासीत् स पार्थिव:
avikṣinnāma śatruñjit sa vaśe kṛtavān mahīm | vikrameṇa guṇaiś caiva pitevāsīt sa pārthivaḥ ||
Vyāsa dit : Avikṣit — fidèle à son nom de vainqueur des ennemis — soumit la terre à son autorité. Par sa vaillance autant que par ses vertus, ce roi gouverna son peuple comme un père, incarnant l’idéal d’une souveraineté protectrice et bienveillante.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy rests not only on conquest (vikrama) but equally on virtues (guṇa), culminating in paternal care for subjects—rule that protects, nurtures, and restrains harm.
Vyāsa is describing the lineage and qualities of King Avikṣit, emphasizing that he subdued rival forces and unified the realm, yet governed with benevolence, treating his people as a father would.