Shloka 22
Cāturāśramya-dharma—Marks of the Four Āśramas (चातुराश्रम्यधर्मः)
एतान्येवंप्रकाराणि विहितानि पुरानघ । सर्वलोकस्य कर्माणि कर्तव्यानीह पार्थिव
etāny evaṁprakārāṇi vihitāni purānagha | sarvalokasya karmāṇi kartavyānīha pārthiva || niṣpāpa nareśa |
Indra dit : «Ô toi sans faute, ces devoirs —de telles sortes— furent établis jadis. En ce monde, ô roi, les actes et obligations de tous les hommes doivent être accomplis en conséquence. Ô seigneur des hommes, sans tache, même ceux qui vivent du pillage doivent observer ces ordonnances comme il convient.»
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not optional or private: the duties appropriate to human life were established long ago and are binding on all. Even those inclined to wrongdoing are urged to conform to the ordained moral order.
Indra addresses a king, reminding him that the framework of prescribed duties for society is ancient and authoritative, and that the ruler should uphold and expect adherence to these duties across all groups.