Shloka 12
मარკण्डेयागमनम् तथा सत्यव्रत-उपदेशः
Arrival of Mārkaṇḍeya and Counsel on Truth-Vows
चरन् नै:श्रेयसं धर्म प्रजापालनकारितम् | नाध्यगच्छद् बलिलेके तीर्थमन्यत्र वै द्विजात्,“राजा बलिको प्रजापालनजनित कल्याणकारी धर्मका आचरण करनेके लिये ब्राह्मणका आश्रय लेनेके सिवा दूसरा कोई उपाय नहीं जान पड़ा था
caran naiḥśreyasaṃ dharmaṃ prajā-pālana-kāritam | nādhyagacchad balileke tīrtham anyatra vai dvijāt |
Vaiśampāyana said: While striving to practice that dharma which brings the highest good and is expressed through the protection and welfare of subjects, King Bali found no other refuge—no other sacred resort—except the counsel and shelter of a twice-born Brahmin. The passage underscores that righteous kingship and the pursuit of ultimate good are sustained by guidance rooted in Brahmanical wisdom and discipline.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the pursuit of niḥśreyasa (the highest good) through righteous governance—especially the protection and welfare of subjects—requires guidance grounded in Brahmanical learning and discipline; a king should seek counsel from the wise rather than rely solely on power or expediency.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Bali’s effort to practice a welfare-producing, kingly dharma. In doing so, Bali recognizes that he has no better ‘tīrtha’ (refuge/resource) than turning to a dvija (Brahmin) for direction and support.