Shloka 44
कृतयुगवर्णनम् तथा राजधर्मोपदेशः
Kṛtayuga Description and Instruction on Royal Dharma
ब्रह्मवध्यानुलिप्तानां तथा मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम् । नृपाणां पृथिवीपाल प्रतिगृह्नन्ति वै द्विजा:
brahmavadhyānuliptānāṁ tathā mithyābhiśaṁsinām | nṛpāṇāṁ pṛthivīpāla pratigṛhṇanti vai dvijāḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「おお大地の守護者よ、婆羅門たちは、梵殺（brahma-hatyā）の穢れに染まった王や、虚言を弄し誹謗する者からさえ、施与を受け取るであろう。これは時代の道徳的衰微の徴である。ダルマを支えるべき者すら貪欲と妥協に絡め取られ、不浄な行いの支配者もまた、庇護と布施によって宗教的なお墨付きを得てしまうのだ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that social and religious order collapses when spiritual authorities accept patronage from unethical rulers. Greed and dependence on tainted wealth normalize grave sins (like brahma-hatyā) and falsehood, undermining dharma from both the throne and the altar.
Vaiśampāyana describes symptoms of an age of decline: rulers become sinful and deceitful, yet still obtain religious legitimacy because Brahmins accept their gifts. The statement functions as a moral diagnosis of deteriorating standards in governance and priestly integrity.