Shloka 35
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
एते चान्ये च जायन्ते यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति | तस्माद् राज्ञा विशेषण वर्तितव्यं प्रजाहिते,जब राजा धर्मकी ओरसे प्रमाद करता है, तब वर्णसंकरताके कारण उत्तम कुलोंमें पापी और राक्षस जन्म लेते हैं। नपुंसक, काने, लँगड़े, लूले, गूँगे तथा बुद्धिहीन बालकोंकी उत्पत्ति होती है। ये तथा और भी बहुत-सी कुत्सित संतानें जन्म लेती हैं। इसलिये राजाको विशेषरूपसे धर्मपरायण एवं सावधान होकर प्रजाके हितसाधनमें तत्पर रहना चाहिये
ete cānye ca jāyante yadā rājā pramādyati | tasmād rājñā viśeṣeṇa vartitavyaṃ prajāhite ||
Utathya said: “These and many other evils arise when a king grows negligent. Therefore a ruler must act with special care and discipline, remaining steadfast in dharma and actively devoted to the welfare of the people.”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s heedlessness (pramāda) produces widespread harm; therefore rulership must be exercised with special vigilance and firm commitment to dharma, prioritizing the welfare of the people (prajāhita).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, the sage Utathya warns that when a ruler becomes negligent, many social and moral disorders arise; he concludes by urging the king to govern carefully and for the people’s good.