Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
Dāna-Śreṣṭhatā: Abhaya, Anugraha, and the Ethics of Honoring the Worthy (दानश्रेष्ठता: अभय-अनुग्रह-विप्रपूजा)
नच ते दुष्कृतं किंचिदहमासादयं गृहे । तेन जीवसि राजर्षे न भवेथास्त्वमन्यथा
na ca te duṣkṛtaṃ kiñcid aham āsādayaṃ gṛhe | tena jīvasi rājarṣe na bhavethās tvam anyathā bhūpāla ||
உன் இல்லத்தில் உன் தீச்செயல்—சிறிதளவும்—எனக்குக் கிடைக்கவில்லை. ஓ ராஜரிஷியே, அதனால் தான் நீ உயிருடன் இருக்கிறாய்; இல்லையெனில், ஓ பூபாலா, நீ இப்போது இருப்பதுபோல் இருக்க முடியாது—உன் அதிகாரமே அழிந்திருக்கும்.
च्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and even survival are portrayed as resting on moral integrity: when no wrongdoing (duṣkṛta) can be found in his conduct and household, he is protected; otherwise, loss of status and life follows. The verse underscores accountability and the ethical scrutiny expected of kings.
The sage Cyavana addresses a king (honored as a rājarṣi), stating that despite staying in the king’s house and observing closely, he has found no fault. Therefore the king remains alive and established; had there been wrongdoing, the consequences would have been ruinous.