Shloka 53

Adhyaya 7 — Harishchandra Tested by Vishvamitra: The Gift of the Kingdom and the Pandava Curse-Backstory

Sanskrit

आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मः क्षत्रियाणां विशेषतः ।

किं दारैः किं सुतैर्नाथ धनैर्धान्यैरथापि वा ॥

Transliteration

ānṛśaṃsyaṃ paro dharmaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ viśeṣataḥ / kiṃ dāraiḥ kiṃ sutair nātha dhanair dhānyair athāpi vā

Translation

不害（アヒンサー、慈悲にもとづく自制）こそ最高のダルマである—とりわけクシャトリヤにとって。主よ、そのダルマを捨てるなら、妻に何の益があり、子に何の益があり、財と穀物にも何の益があろうか。

Speakers

• Not explicitly identifiable from the single verse alone (requires surrounding verses); verse is in direct-address style ('nātha')
• suggesting a counsel/admonition within a dialogue

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Kshatriya ethics
• Compassion / non-cruelty
• Detachment from worldly supports (family/wealth) when opposed to righteousness