Shloka 10
Aśmagīta: Janaka’s Inquiry on Loss, Kāla, and the Limits of Control (अश्मगीता)
ये च विंशतिवर्षा वा त्रिंशद्वर्षाश्न मानवा: । परेण ते वर्षशतान्न भविष्यन्ति पार्थिव,राजन! जो बीस या तीस वर्षकी उम्रवाले मनुष्य चोरी आदि कुकर्मोमें लग जाते हैं, वे सौ वर्षतक जीवित नहीं रह पाते
ye ca viṁśativarṣā vā triṁśadvarṣāś ca mānavāḥ | pareṇa te varṣaśatān na bhaviṣyanti pārthiva-rājan ||
ข้าแต่พระราชา บุรุษผู้มีอายุยี่สิบหรือสามสิบปีแล้วหันไปสู่การลักขโมยและกรรมชั่วอื่น ๆ ย่อมมิอาจมีชีวิตยืนยาวจนครบหนึ่งร้อยปี
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Early indulgence in adharma—such as theft—destroys one’s well-being and is portrayed as leading to a shortened life; ethical restraint is presented as protective and life-sustaining.
King Janaka addresses a ruler, offering moral counsel: he warns that young men who engage in criminal and unrighteous conduct do not attain a full lifespan, underscoring the king’s duty to uphold dharma.