Shloka 17
अज्ञान–लोभयोः परस्परहेतुत्वम्
Mutual Causality of Ignorance and Greed
यत्त्वेव राज्ञो ज्यायिष्ठं कार्याणां तद् ब्रवीमि ते,अब मैं राजाके कार्योमें जो सबसे श्रेष्ठ है, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ। जनेश्वर! तुम धैर्ययुक्त बल और दानके द्वारा स्वर्गलोकपर विजय प्राप्त करो। जिसके पास बल और ओज है, वही मनुष्य धर्माचरणमें समर्थ होता है
yattveva rājño jyāyiṣṭhaṃ kāryāṇāṃ tad bravīmi te | janasvara! tvaṃ dhairyayukta-bala-dānair svargalokam abhibhūya jayaṃ prāpnuhi | yasya balaṃ ca ojaś ca sa eva manuṣyo dharmācaraṇe samarthaḥ ||
यत्त्वेव राज्ञो ज्यायिष्ठं कार्याणां तद् ब्रवीमि ते। जनेश्वर धैर्ययुक्तेन बलेन दानेन च स्वर्गं जय। यस्यैव बलमोजश्च स धर्मस्य प्रभुर्नरः॥
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the highest royal duty as cultivating and exercising steadfast courage, strength, and generosity, because effective dharma-practice requires inner vigor (ojas) and practical power (bala), not merely intention.
Śaunaka addresses a ruler (‘lord of men’) and begins outlining the foremost royal responsibilities, urging him to pursue merit and excellence through fortitude, strength, and charitable giving, presented as the basis for conquering even heavenly attainments.