Shloka 13
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
एवमेव विना राज्ञा विनश्येयुरिमा: प्रजा: । अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुरगोपा: पशवो यथा
evam eva vinā rājñā vinaśyeyur imāḥ prajāḥ | andhe tamasi majjeyur agopāḥ paśavo yathā ||
Vasumanā said: “In the same way, without a king these subjects would perish. Like cattle without a herdsman, they would sink into blind darkness.” The verse asserts that rightful kingship is not mere power but a protective order: without governance, society collapses into insecurity and mutual harm, and the people are overwhelmed by suffering and confusion.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the king’s dharmic role is protection and order; without governance, people fall into chaos and suffering, like cattle without a herdsman.
Vasumanā is arguing within the Shānti Parva’s discussion of rājadharma, using a vivid simile to warn that the absence of a ruler leads to the ruin of the populace.