Shloka 23
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
न वृषा: सम्प्रवर्तेरन् न मथ्येरंश्व॒ गर्गरा: । घोषा: प्रणाशं गच्छेयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत्
na vṛṣāḥ sampravarteran na mathyeran śva-gargarāḥ | ghoṣāḥ praṇāśaṃ gaccheyur yadi rājā na pālayet ||
Vasumanā berkata: “Jika raja tidak melindungi (negeri dan makhluk di dalamnya), lembu jantan tidak akan lagi memulakan pembiakan; tempayan susu dan alat pengisar tidak akan diusahakan dengan baik; dan penempatan para penggembala akan jatuh musnah.”
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
The king’s primary dharma is protection (pālana). When governance fails, even basic rural and pastoral functions—breeding, dairy production, and the stability of cowherd communities—collapse, showing that ethical rule sustains material and social well-being.
Vasumanā is illustrating the practical consequences of a ruler’s neglect: disorder spreads through the countryside, productive routines cease, and pastoral settlements (ghoṣas) are destroyed—an argument for vigilant, protective kingship in the Shānti Parva’s rājadharma discourse.