Shloka 33
धन-राजधर्म संवादः
Discourse on Wealth and Royal Duty
आसीदियं दिलीपस्य नृगस्य नहुषस्थ च
āsīd iyaṃ dilīpasya nṛgasya nahuṣasya ca | ambarīṣasya māndhātuś ca kramād iyam mahī ||
Arjuna berkata: “Bumi ini dahulu silih berganti berada di bawah kedaulatan raja-raja Dilīpa, Nṛga, Nahuṣa, Ambarīṣa, dan Māndhātṛ. Kini ia berada di bawah kekuasaan tuan. Maka tuan telah memperoleh kesempatan untuk melaksanakan yajña yang disokong oleh kekayaan, dengan menyerahkan segalanya sebagai dakṣiṇā di hadapan—suatu perbuatan yang menzahirkan tanggungjawab diraja, kemurahan hati, dan penggunaan kuasa menurut dharma.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Political power is ethically validated by dharmic conduct—especially generosity and the proper use of wealth through yajña and dakṣiṇā. By recalling exemplary kings, the verse frames sovereignty as a trust that should culminate in public-spirited giving and ritual responsibility.
Arjuna addresses the ruler before him, reminding him that the earth has historically passed through the hands of famed kings. Since the realm is now under his authority, Arjuna urges him toward a grand, wealth-supported sacrifice with abundant gifts, aligning present rule with revered models of righteous kingship.