Shloka 14
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
पालनेन विशस्तुष्टा: कामैस्तुष्टा वरस्त्रिय: | अनुक्रोशैस्तथा शूद्रा दानशेषै: पृथग्जना:,'यहाँ नाना प्रकारके दानोंसे ब्राह्मणोंको, उत्तम युद्धके द्वारा क्षत्रियोंको, श्राद्धके द्वारा पितामहोंको, रक्षाके द्वारा वैश्योंको, सम्पूर्ण कामनाओंकी पूर्ति करके उत्तम स्त्रियोंको, दयासे शूद्रोंको, दानसे बची हुई वस्तुएँ देकर अन्य मनुष्योंको तथा राजाके शुद्ध बर्तावसे ज्ञाति एवं सम्बन्धियोंको संतुष्ट किया गया है। इसी प्रकार पवित्र हविष्यके द्वारा देवताओंको और रक्षाका भार लेकर शरणागतोंको प्रसन्न किया गया है
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | pālanena viśiṣṭāḥ tuṣṭāḥ kāmais tuṣṭā varastriyaḥ | anukrośais tathā śūdrā dānaśeṣaiḥ pṛthagjanāḥ |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “By protection and good governance the distinguished people were satisfied; by the fulfillment of desires the noble women were satisfied; by compassion the Śūdras were satisfied; and by the remnants of gifts—what was left after charitable distribution—the common folk were satisfied.” The verse presents an ethical picture of kingship in which each group is cared for according to its needs: security and order, provision and well-being, kindness toward the vulnerable, and generosity that reaches even the ordinary populace.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a model of righteous governance: a ruler sustains social harmony by protecting people, ensuring legitimate needs are met, practicing compassion toward the vulnerable, and extending generosity so that even the ordinary populace benefits.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing how different sections of society are being pleased and supported through appropriate means—protection, provision, compassion, and charitable distribution—framing the scene as an example of orderly, dharmic administration.