Shloka 16
Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti
आत्मनावाथ पुत्रेण गोपनीयाः प्रजा शुभे । प्रजा अरक्षन्नृपतिः सधर्म्मोऽपि व्रजत्यधः ॥ १६ ॥
ātmanāvātha putreṇa gopanīyāḥ prajā śubhe | prajā arakṣannṛpatiḥ sadharmmo'pi vrajatyadhaḥ || 16 ||
शुभे, आत्मना वा पुत्रेण वा प्रजा गोपनीया। प्रजामरक्षन् नृपतिः सधर्मोऽपि अधो व्रजति॥ १६ ॥
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that dharma is proven through responsibility: safeguarding one’s dependents is a core measure of righteousness, and neglect of protection brings spiritual and karmic decline.
While not directly naming bhakti, it aligns with bhakti-ethics: service, protection, and compassion toward others are expressions of devotion in action, not merely private piety.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught here; the practical takeaway is Raja-dharma—administration and protection as an applied discipline of dharma.