Shloka 15
Dhaumya-varaṇa (Appointment of Dhaumya as Purohita) | धौम्यवरणम्
महीं जिगीषता राज्ञा ब्रह्मकार्य पुरस्सरम् | तस्मात् पुरोहित: कश्चिद् गुणवान् विजितेन्द्रिय: । विद्वान् भवतु वो विप्रो धर्मकामार्थतत्त्ववित्,पृथ्वीको जीतनेकी इच्छावाले राजाको उचित है कि वह ब्राह्मणको अपने आगे रखे; अतः कोई गुणवान्, जितेन्द्रिय, वेदाभ्यासी, विद्वान् तथा धर्म, काम और अर्थका तत्त्वज्ञ ब्राह्मण आपका पुरोहित हो
mahīṁ jigīṣatā rājñā brahmakārya-purassaram | tasmāt purohitaḥ kaścid guṇavān vijitendriyaḥ | vidvān bhavatu vo vipro dharma-kāmārtha-tattvavit ||
The Gandharva said: “For a king who seeks to conquer the earth, it is proper that sacred duties and Brahmanical counsel go before all else. Therefore, let some worthy Brahmin—self-controlled, learned, and discerning in the true principles of dharma, kāma, and artha—be your priest. Only then does royal ambition proceed on a righteous foundation.”
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal conquest and political ambition should be guided first by sacred duty and ethical counsel. A king ought to appoint a virtuous, self-controlled, learned Brahmin as purohita—one who understands the principles of dharma, kāma, and artha—so that power is pursued within moral and ritual order.
A Gandharva addresses the royal party and offers normative counsel on kingship: before attempting to win dominion over the earth, the king should place Brahmanical rites and guidance at the forefront by installing a qualified purohita.