Shloka 33
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
जित्वा संग्रामान् पालयित्वा प्रजाश्न सोम॑ पीत्वा तर्पयित्वा द्विजाग्र्यान् । युक्त्या दण्डं धारयित्वा प्रजानां युद्धे क्षीणो मोदते देवलोके
jित्वा saṅgrāmān pālayitvā prajāḥ somaṁ pītvā tarpayitvā dvijāgryān | yuktyā daṇḍaṁ dhārayitvā prajānāṁ yuddhe kṣīṇo modate devaloke |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「数多の戦に勝ち、民を守り、祭祀においてソーマを飲み、施与と敬礼によって最上のブラーフマナたちを満ち足らせたハヤグリーヴァ王は—民を護るため、分別をもって刑罰の杖を執り—戦場に倒れた。いまは神々の世界にあって歓喜している。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadharma: a king earns merit by protecting subjects, honoring Brāhmaṇas through proper gifts, performing sacrifices, and wielding daṇḍa (punitive authority) with yukti—measured judgment rather than cruelty. Such disciplined governance and righteous conduct are portrayed as leading to heavenly reward even if the king dies in battle.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Hayagrīva’s life of victories, sacrificial observances, and public protection. Having upheld order through judicious punishment and having fallen in war, he is said to be enjoying happiness in devaloka.