Shloka 10
Āṇīmāṇḍavya–Upākhyāna
The Account of Āṇīmāṇḍavya and the Birth of Vidura
शान्तनुप्रमुखैर्गुप्ते लोके नृपतिभिस्तदा । नियमात् सर्ववर्णानां धर्मोत्तरमवर्तत,उस समय शान्तनुप्रधान राजाओंद्वारा सुरक्षित जगत्में सभी वर्णोके लोग नियमपूर्वक प्रत्येक बर्तावमें धर्मको ही प्रधानता देने लगे
śāntanupramukhair gupté loke nṛpatibhis tadā | niyamāt sarvavarṇānāṃ dharmottaram avartata ||
उस समय शान्तनु-प्रधान राजाओं द्वारा सुरक्षित जगत् में सभी वर्णों के लोग नियमपूर्वक रहते थे; आचरण के प्रत्येक क्षेत्र में धर्म ही सर्वोच्च मार्गदर्शक बनकर प्रबल हो गया।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When rulers provide protection and uphold discipline, society naturally becomes dharma-centered—ethical conduct gains priority across all groups, not merely as personal virtue but as a public norm.
Vaiśampāyana describes a period of stable, well-guarded rule under kings led by Śāntanu, during which all varṇas followed regulated conduct and dharma became the dominant standard in everyday behavior.