Shloka 26
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
ब्राह्मणाश्षतुरो वेदान् नाधीयीरंस्तपस्विन: । विद्यास्नाता व्रतस्नाता यदि राजा न पालयेत्
brāhmaṇāś caturō vedān nādhīyīraṁs tapasvinaḥ | vidyā-snāta vratā-snāta yadi rājā na pālayet ||
Vasumanā dit : Si le roi ne protège pas (ses sujets et l’ordre), alors même les brahmanes ascètes—ceux qui ont achevé leurs études et leurs vœux—cesseront d’étudier les quatre Veda. Ce vers souligne que la protection royale est une condition nécessaire à la préservation du savoir sacré et d’une vie religieuse disciplinée.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vedic learning and disciplined religious life flourish only when the king upholds rajadharma—protecting society and maintaining order. Without protection, even the most qualified and austere Brahmins would abandon Vedic study.
In a discussion on governance and dharma in the Śānti Parva, Vasumanā argues for the necessity of royal protection by stating that the failure of a king to protect would undermine the very foundations of sacred education and ascetic practice.