Shloka 12
मरुत्तोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः — Genealogy to Marutta and the Logistics of Royal Sacrifice
तस्य धर्मप्रवृत्तस्य व्यशीर्यत् कोशवाहनम् । तं क्षीणकोशं सामन््ता: समन्तात् पर्यपीडयन्
tasya dharmapravṛttasya vyaśīryat kośavāhanam | taṃ kṣīṇakośaṃ sāmantāḥ samantāt paryapīḍayan |
Vyāsa disse: À medida que aquele rei se dedicava inteiramente ao dharma, seu tesouro e seus meios de transporte foram-se consumindo gradualmente até caírem em ruína. Vendo-o com a fazenda exaurida, os governantes feudatários vizinhos avançaram de todos os lados e começaram a importuná-lo.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension in rājanīti: personal devotion to dharma without sustaining the material foundations of governance (treasury, logistics) can invite external aggression. Ethical rule must be supported by practical capacity, or it becomes vulnerable to exploitation.
A king, intent on righteous conduct, rapidly loses wealth and transport resources. Observing his weakened condition, surrounding feudatory rulers attack or harass him from all directions, taking advantage of his depleted treasury.