Shloka 33
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
संविभज्य यदा भुड्क्ते नृपतिर्दुर्बलान् नरान् । तदा भवन्ति बलिन: स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते
saṁvibhajya yadā bhuṅkte nṛpatir durbalān narān | tadā bhavanti balinaḥ sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
Utatthya dit : Lorsque le roi distribue d’abord des provisions aux faibles et ne prend son propre repas qu’ensuite, ceux qui étaient sans force deviennent forts. Une telle retenue et un tel don sont proclamés le dharma du roi.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is to prioritize the welfare of the weak: by distributing resources to them first and restraining his own consumption, he strengthens society and fulfills righteous kingship.
In a discourse on righteous governance in the Śānti Parva, the sage Utatthya defines an ideal royal practice: the king should first provide necessities to vulnerable subjects and only afterward eat himself; this act of giving is praised as true royal duty.