Shloka 19
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
राष्ट्रस्यारक्ष्यमाणस्य कुतो भूति: कुतः सुखम् | न च राजावमन्तव्यो रक्षसा जात्वनागसि,“हमारे द्वारा रक्षित न होनेपर राष्ट्रको कैसे समृद्धि प्राप्त होगी और कैसे उसे सुख मिलेगा? राक्षसको भी उचित है कि वह बिना अपराधके कभी किसी राजाका अपमान न करे
rāṣṭrasyārakṣyamāṇasya kuto bhūtiḥ kutaḥ sukham | na ca rājāvamantavyo rakṣasā jātvanāgasi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “If a kingdom is not being protected, how can it gain prosperity, and how can it enjoy happiness? Therefore, even a rākṣasa should never insult a king who is without fault.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity and happiness depend on the protection of the realm; respect for rightful, blameless kingship is presented as a basic ethical norm—even for those outside conventional society, such as rākṣasas.
Vaiśampāyana delivers a reflective maxim on governance: without protection there is no welfare, and a guiltless king should not be treated with contempt, framing the moral expectations around rulership and social stability.