Shloka 38
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
लाभे न हर्षयेद् यस्तु न व्यथेद् योडवमानित: । असम्मूढश्न यो नित्यं स राजवसतिं वसेत्,जो अभीष्ट वस्तुकी प्राप्ति होनेपर (अधिक) हर्षित नहीं होता अथवा अपमानित होनेपर अधिक व्यथाका अनुभव नहीं करता और सदा मोहशून्य होकर विवेकसे काम लेता है, वही राजाके यहाँ सुखपूर्वक रह सकता है
lābhe na harṣayed yas tu na vyathed yo 'vamānitaḥ | asammūḍhaś ca yo nityaṁ sa rājavasatiṁ vaset ||
Dhaumya berkata: “Sesiapa yang tidak meluap gembira ketika memperoleh keuntungan, tidak tergoncang ketika dihina, dan sentiasa tidak terkeliru serta berakal budi—dialah yang mampu tinggal dengan tenteram di kediaman raja.”
धौग्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches equanimity: do not become overly elated by success or gain, do not collapse under insult, and remain consistently clear-minded. Such steadiness is presented as the essential qualification for living safely and well in the volatile environment of a royal court.
Dhaugya is giving practical-ethical counsel about court life. He describes the temperament required to reside in a king’s household—emotional restraint in both favorable and unfavorable circumstances, along with constant discernment.