Shloka 25
Rājapurohita-lakṣaṇa and Purūravas–Vāyu Saṃvāda
Varṇa, Sovereignty, and Abhaya-dāna
साधारण अवस्थामें प्रत्येक मनुष्यका मन शब्द, स्पर्श, रूप, रस और गन्धमें आनन्दका अनुभव करता है; परंतु भयभीत मनुष्यको उन सभी भोगोंमें कोई सुख नहीं मिलता है, इसलिये जो अभयदान करनेवाला है, उसीको महान् फलकी प्राप्ति होती है; क्योंकि तीनों लोकोंमें प्राणदानके समान दूसरा कोई दान नहीं है ।।
sādhāraṇāvasthāyāṁ pratyekaṁ manuṣyasya manaḥ śabda-sparśa-rūpa-rasa-gandheṣu ānandaṁ anubhavati; bhayabhītas tu manuṣyaḥ sarveṣu teṣu bhogeṣu sukhaṁ na vindati; tasmād abhaya-dāyī mahān phalaṁ prāpnoti, yataḥ trailokye prāṇa-dāna-samo ’nyaḥ dāna-viśeṣo nāsti. indro rājā yamo rājā dharmo rājā tathaiva ca; rājā bibharti rūpāṇi, rājñā sarvam idaṁ dhṛtam.
常のありさまでは、人の心は音・触・色・味・香に歓びを覚える。だが恐れに捕らわれれば、それら一切の享楽も幸福をもたらさない。ゆえに無畏（アバヤ）を施す者は大いなる果を得る。三界において命の布施に等しい布施はないからである。王はインドラであり、王はヤマであり、王はまたダルマでもある。王は多くの姿を取り、この全世界は王によって支えられている。
ऐल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear destroys the capacity to enjoy even ordinary sense-pleasures; therefore, granting safety and fearlessness—ultimately saving life—is presented as the highest form of giving. The verse also elevates righteous kingship as a cosmic support, equating the king’s role with Indra (sovereignty), Yama (punishment/justice), and Dharma (law/righteousness).
Aiḷa speaks while discussing dharma in the Śānti Parva, emphasizing the supreme merit of protecting others from fear and death. He then turns to the political-ethical frame: the king embodies multiple divine functions and upholds the world through governance, protection, and justice.