Shloka 9
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Sarvadamana’s Childhood and Śakuntalā’s Claim at Court
स्वथर्मे रेमिरे वर्णा दैवे कर्मणि निःस्पृहा: । तमाश्रित्य महीपालमासंश्रैवाकुतो भया:,सब वर्णोंके लोग अपने-अपने धर्मके पालनमें रत रहते थे। देवाराधन आदि कर्मोंको निष्कामभावसे ही करते थे। राजा दुष्यन्तका आश्रय लेकर समस्त प्रजा निर्भय हो गयी थी
svadharme remire varṇā daive karmaṇi niḥspṛhāḥ | tam āśritya mahīpālam āsaṁśrā iva akuto-bhayāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: As ordens sociais deleitavam-se em cumprir cada qual o seu próprio dever, realizando o culto aos deuses e os ritos sagrados sem desejo egoísta. Tomando refúgio naquele rei, protetor da terra, o povo tornou-se seguro—como quem atravessou para além de toda dúvida—livre de temor por todos os lados.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a ruler upholds protection and justice, society naturally settles into svadharma: people perform their duties and sacred rites without selfish craving (niḥspṛhatā), and public life becomes stable and fearless (akuto-bhayatā).
Vaiśampāyana describes an ideal condition under the king’s shelter: the varṇas are content in their own roles, religious acts are done without desire for reward, and the populace feels secure because the king functions as a true mahīpāla (protector of the realm).