Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 150
व्यवहारानुरूपेण न्यायेन तु यदर्जनम् । क्षत्रियस्य पयस्तेन प्रजापालनतो भवेत्
vyavahārānurūpeṇa nyāyena tu yadarjanam | kṣatriyasya payastena prajāpālanato bhavet
व्यवहारास अनुरूप न्यायाने क्षत्रिय जे काही कमावतो, तेच त्याचे ‘पय’ म्हणजे धर्म्य उपजीविका; ती प्रजापालनातूनच उत्पन्न होते।
Skanda
Listener: Audience concerned with dharma in Kāśī (including rulers/householders)
Scene: A Kṣatriya-king in Kāśī holds court beneath a canopy near the riverfront, hearing disputes with a calm judge-like posture; behind him, guards protect pilgrims moving toward temples—symbolizing ‘milk’ as sustenance earned by protection.
FAQs
For rulers, legitimate livelihood is grounded in justice and the duty of protecting society.
Kāśī is the contextual sacred realm where even political power is subordinated to dharma.
No specific rite; the prescription is ethical: earn only by just conduct, rooted in protecting the people.