Shloka 30
The Dialogue between Rukmāṅgada and Dharmāṅgada
नान्यो हि धर्मः पुत्रस्य पितुर्वाक्यं विना प्रजाः । मयि दंडधरे शास्ता न यमो भवति क्वचित् ॥ ३० ॥
nānyo hi dharmaḥ putrasya piturvākyaṃ vinā prajāḥ | mayi daṃḍadhare śāstā na yamo bhavati kvacit || 30 ||
Ô peuple, pour un fils il n’est pas de dharma plus élevé que l’obéissance à la parole du père. Là où je me tiens, porteur du châtiment et souverain qui corrige, Yama n’exerce jamais son pouvoir.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Uttara-Bhaga discourse)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"vira","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"A strong proclamation of filial duty and royal discipline resolves into reassurance of protection from punitive cosmic forces."}
FAQs
It elevates pitṛ-vākya (a father’s command) as a primary form of dharma for a son, presenting obedience and humility as spiritual discipline that sustains social and moral order.
Though not directly about Vishnu-bhakti, it frames devotion as faithful service and surrender to rightful authority; such niyama and reverence are foundational virtues that support a life fit for bhakti and sacred practice.
It aligns with dharmaśāstric and smṛti-style norms of conduct (ācāra) and rajadharma (governance): the concept of daṇḍa (punitive authority) as a stabilizing force that reduces the need for Yama’s corrective role.