Shloka 17
अज्ञान–लोभयोः परस्परहेतुत्वम्
Mutual Causality of Ignorance and Greed
यत्त्वेव राज्ञो ज्यायिष्ठं कार्याणां तद् ब्रवीमि ते
yattveva rājño jyāyiṣṭhaṃ kāryāṇāṃ tad bravīmi te | janasvara! tvaṃ dhairyayukta-bala-dānair svargalokam abhibhūya jayaṃ prāpnuhi | yasya balaṃ ca ojaś ca sa eva manuṣyo dharmācaraṇe samarthaḥ ||
シャウナカは言った。「王の務めのうち、まことに最上のものを汝に語ろう。人々の主よ、揺るがぬ勇気と力、そして施しによって、天界に対する勝利を得よ。力とオージャス（生命の精気）を備える者のみが、久しくダルマを実践し支え得るのだ。」
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the highest royal duty as cultivating and exercising steadfast courage, strength, and generosity, because effective dharma-practice requires inner vigor (ojas) and practical power (bala), not merely intention.
Śaunaka addresses a ruler (‘lord of men’) and begins outlining the foremost royal responsibilities, urging him to pursue merit and excellence through fortitude, strength, and charitable giving, presented as the basis for conquering even heavenly attainments.