Shloka 17
शतानन्दोपदेशः
Śatānanda’s Welcome to Rāma and the Prelude to Viśvāmitra’s History
राजाऽभूदेष धर्मात्मा दीर्घकालमरिन्दम:।धर्मज्ञ: कृतविद्यश्च प्रजानां च हिते रत:।।।।
rājā ’bhūd eṣa dharmātmā dīrgha-kālam arindamaḥ | dharmajñaḥ kṛta-vidyaś ca prajānāṁ ca hite rataḥ ||
यह धर्मात्मा राजा दीर्घकाल तक राज्य करता रहा, शत्रुओं का दमन करने वाला। वह धर्म का ज्ञाता, विद्या में निपुण और प्रजाजन के हित में सदा रत था॥
This righteous-minded sage, subduer of enemies, knower of dharma knowledgeable inall branches of learning, devoted to the welfare of his subjects ruled as a king for long.
FAQs
Dharma is presented as rāja-dharma: the king’s legitimacy rests on righteousness, learning, protection from enemies, and active commitment to the people’s welfare.
Śatānanda begins Viśvāmitra’s biography by describing his earlier phase as a capable and dharmic ruler before his later ascetic transformation.
Viśvāmitra’s public-mindedness: governance oriented toward prajā-hita (the good of subjects), showing that power is meant for protection and welfare, not self-indulgence.