Shloka 19
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
गुरुप्रधानो धर्मेषु स्वयमर्थानवेक्षिता | धर्मप्रधानो लाभेषु स चिरं सुखमश्षुते
gurupradhāno dharmeṣu svayam arthānavekṣitā | dharmapradhāno lābheṣu sa ciraṁ sukham aśnute ||
गुरुप्रधानो धर्मेषु स्वयमर्थानवेक्षिता । धर्मप्रधानो लाभेषु स चिरं सुखमश्नुते ॥
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Make dharma the primary standard: follow the guru’s guidance in moral matters, manage worldly affairs responsibly without negligence, and treat dharma itself as the greatest profit; this orientation leads to enduring happiness.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous living, the sage Vāmadeva states a principle of conduct: prioritize the guru in dharma, personally attend to artha-related duties, and place dharma above all gains, describing the long-term result as sustained happiness.