Shloka 12
सरित: सागरांश्षैव नदांक्षापि सरांसि च । पालयामास विधिना यथा देवान् शतक्रतु:
saritaḥ sāgarāṁś caiva nadāṁś cāpi sarāṁsi ca | pālayāmāsa vidhinā yathā devān śatakratuḥ ||
அவன் முறையோடு நதிகளையும் சமுத்திரங்களையும், ஓடைகளையும் ஏரிகளையும் ஆளிப் பாதுகாத்தான்—சதக்ரது இந்திரன் தேவர்களைப் பாதுகாப்பதுபோல்॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of dharmic rule: a ruler’s duty is to protect and regulate the realm ‘by proper rule’ (vidhinā), sustaining order as Indra sustains the gods—power expressed as disciplined guardianship and stewardship.
Vaiśampāyana describes a figure’s orderly governance, using a cosmic simile: just as Indra (Śatakratu) safeguards the gods, so this ruler maintained and protected the waters—rivers, seas, and lakes—signaling stable administration and adherence to rightful procedure.