Shloka 31
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
ततो ब्राह्मणरूपेण रममाणो यदृच्छया । चकमे तां वरारोहां कन्यामुत्पललोचनाम् । तं॑ तु राजा यथाशास्त्रमशासदू धार्मिकस्तदा
tato brāhmaṇarūpeṇa ramamāṇo yadṛcchayā | cakame tāṁ varārohāṁ kanyām utpalalocanām || taṁ tu rājā yathāśāstram aśāsad dhārmikas tadā ||
ततो ब्राह्मणरूपेण यदृच्छया विचरन् हव्यवाहनः। तां वरारोहां कन्यामुत्पललोचनां रमणीयरूपां चकमे, तस्याश्च प्रति कामभावं प्रकाशयामास। तं तु धर्मात्मा राजा नीलः शास्त्रविधिना यथान्यायं शासयामास।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when the offender appears to be a brāhmaṇa, a dhārmika king must uphold śāstric law impartially—restraining misconduct and protecting the vulnerable, especially a young woman, thereby preserving dharma and public order.
Agni, disguised as a brāhmaṇa, approaches a lotus-eyed maiden with desire. King Nīla responds as a righteous ruler by disciplining the apparent brāhmaṇa according to legal and ethical norms.