Shloka 26
Yugapramāṇa–Kaliyuga-lakṣaṇa–Pralaya-kathā
Markandeya’s Account of Yugas, Kali Signs, and Dissolution
राजा वै प्रथितो धर्म: प्रजानां पतिरेव च । स एव शक्र: शुक्रश्न स धाता च बृहस्पति:,सनत्कुमार बोले--ब्राह्मण क्षत्रियसे और क्षत्रिय ब्राह्मणसे संयुक्त हो जायेँ तो वे दोनों मिलकर शत्रुओंको उसी प्रकार दग्ध कर डालते हैं, जैसे अग्नि और वायु परस्पर सहयोगी होकर कितने ही वनोंको भस्म कर डालते हैं। राजा धर्मरूपसे विख्यात है। वही प्रजापति, इन्द्र, शुक्राचार्य, धाता और बृहस्पति भी है
rājā vai prathito dharmaḥ prajānāṁ patir eva ca | sa eva śakraḥ śukraś ca sa dhātā ca bṛhaspatiḥ ||
Sanatkumāra said: “The king is renowned as Dharma itself and is truly the lord and protector of the people. In him are embodied the powers of Prajāpati (the progenitor), Śakra (Indra, the wielder of sovereignty), Śukra (the preceptor of polity), Dhātā (the cosmic ordainer), and Bṛhaspati (the priestly wisdom of right counsel).” The ethical point is that kingship, when rightly exercised, is not mere force but a concentrated form of moral order, guardianship, and wise governance for the welfare of subjects.
सनत्कुमार उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a righteous king is not merely an administrator but the living embodiment of Dharma and the combined functions of creation, sovereignty, counsel, cosmic order, and priestly wisdom—therefore kingship carries a sacred ethical responsibility to protect and uphold the people.
Sanatkumāra is instructing a listener on the nature of kingship and rajadharma, praising the king’s role as the protector of subjects and describing him through divine archetypes (Prajāpati, Indra, Śukra, Dhātā, Bṛhaspati) to emphasize the king’s comprehensive duties.