Shloka 12
Gārhasthya-Śreṣṭhatā and Kṣatriya-Daṇḍadhāraṇa
Householder Primacy and the Royal Duty of Punishment
एतानि राज्ञां कर्माणि सुकृतानि विशाम्पते । इमं लोकममुं चैव साधयन्तीति न: श्रुतम्
etāni rājñāṁ karmāṇi sukṛtāni viśāmpate | imaṁ lokam amuṁ caiva sādhayantīti naḥ śrutam |
व्यासजी बोले—हे प्रजानाथ! हमने सुना है कि राजाओं के ये सुचारु रूप से किए हुए पुण्यकर्म इस लोक और परलोक—दोनों को सिद्ध करते हैं।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That a king’s properly performed duties (sukṛtāni karmāṇi) are not merely political acts but dharmic works that secure welfare in both the present world and the next.
Vyāsa addresses a ruler (viśāmpati) and frames the discussion of royal duties by stating the traditional teaching that such deeds, when done rightly, lead to success in both worldly governance and spiritual outcome.