Shloka 20
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
गच्छन्नपि परां भूमिमपृष्टो हनियोजित: । जात्यन्ध इव मन्येत मर्यादामनुचिन्तयन्,बैठनेके लिये अपनेको ऊँचा आसन प्राप्त होता हो, तो भी जबतक राजा न पूछें-- बैठनेका आदेश न दें, तबतक राजदरबारकी मर्यादाका खयाल करके अपनेको जन्मान्ध- सा माने, मानो उस आसनको वह देखता ही न हो। इस भावसे खड़ा रहकर राजाज्ञाकी प्रतीक्षा करता रहे
gacchann api parāṃ bhūmim apṛṣṭo haniyojitaḥ | jātyandha iva manyeta maryādām anucintayan ||
गच्छन्नपि परां भूमिमपृष्टो हनियोजितः । जात्यन्ध इव मन्येत मर्यादामनुचिन्तयन् ॥
धौग्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold maryādā (proper limits of conduct) in a royal assembly: do not presume privileges, even if offered indirectly; wait for explicit royal invitation and command. Humility and restraint are presented as practical dharma.
Dhaumya instructs proper behavior at a king’s court: even if a high seat is available, a person should stand as if unaware of it, until the king formally asks and orders him to sit.