Shloka 8
धर्ममर्थं वा कामं वा शिष्टाश्शास्त्रेष्वनागतम्।।।।व्यवस्यन्त्यनु राजानं धर्मं पौलस्त्यनन्दन।
dharmam arthaṁ vā kāmaṁ vā śiṣṭāḥ śāstreṣv anāgatam |
vyavasyanty anu rājānaṁ dharmaṁ paulastya-nandana |
ポーラースティヤの子よ、たとえ戒めがシャーストラに明記されていなくとも、学識ある者は王の振る舞いを観てそれに照らし、何がダルマ、アルタ、カーマであるかを見定める。王の行いこそ世の規範となるゆえである。
O son of Paulastya! learned men determine the path of dharma artha and kama, following a king's conduct even if they are not declared in sastras.
FAQs
Rulers function as living standards: even beyond written injunctions, society infers and stabilizes dharma (and norms of artha and kāma) by the king’s example.
While opposing the abduction, Jatāyu reminds Rāvaṇa that a powerful ruler’s behavior shapes what people treat as legitimate—even when texts are silent.
Responsibility of leadership (rājadharma): the king’s self-discipline and moral clarity, because his conduct educates society.