Shloka 14

Bṛhaspati’s Counsel on Contentment

Santoṣa), Restraint, and Adroha (Non-injury

Devanagari script

क्षत्रियो यज्ञशिष्टाशी राजा शान्‍्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित्‌ । असाधुनिग्रहरत: साधूनां प्रग्रहे रत:

Transliteration

kṣatriyo yajñaśiṣṭāśī rājā śāntārthatattvavit | asādhunigraharataḥ sādhūnāṃ pragrahe rataḥ ||

Translation

クシャトリヤの王は、祭祀ののちに残る供物を食として生き、安寧と正しい統治の真意を知る者となり、悪しき者を抑えることを喜びとし、また善き者を扶け護ることを同じく喜びとせよ。

Word by Word

क्षत्रियःa Kshatriya (warrior)

यज्ञशिष्टाशीone who eats the remnants of sacrifice

राजाking

शास्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित्knower of the true purport and principles of the scriptures

असाधुनिग्रहरतःdelighting in the punishment/restraint of the wicked

साधूनाम्of the good (people)

प्रग्रहेin supporting/holding up; in protection/control

रतःengaged; devoted; delighting

Speaker

देवस्थान उवाच

Characters & Entities

devasthāna (speaker designation)

kṣatriya

rājā

yajña

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse defines ideal kingship: a ruler should be disciplined and dharmic (living on sacrificial remainder), understand the true aim of peace and policy, actively restrain wrongdoers, and actively uphold and protect the righteous.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, the speaker (Devast(h)āna) describes the qualities and conduct expected of a kṣatriya king, emphasizing both punitive justice and benevolent protection as complementary royal duties.