Shloka 12
Gārhasthya-Śreṣṭhatā and Kṣatriya-Daṇḍadhāraṇa
Householder Primacy and the Royal Duty of Punishment
एतानि राज्ञां कर्माणि सुकृतानि विशाम्पते । इमं लोकममुं चैव साधयन्तीति न: श्रुतम्
etāni rājñāṁ karmāṇi sukṛtāni viśāmpate | imaṁ lokam amuṁ caiva sādhayantīti naḥ śrutam |
Vyāsa dit : «Ô seigneur des peuples, nous avons entendu dire que ces actes des rois, lorsqu’ils sont accomplis avec excellence, assurent la réussite en ce monde et dans l’autre.»
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That a king’s properly performed duties (sukṛtāni karmāṇi) are not merely political acts but dharmic works that secure welfare in both the present world and the next.
Vyāsa addresses a ruler (viśāmpati) and frames the discussion of royal duties by stating the traditional teaching that such deeds, when done rightly, lead to success in both worldly governance and spiritual outcome.