Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 14
Dāna-Śreṣṭhatā: Abhaya, Anugraha, and the Ethics of Honoring the Worthy (दानश्रेष्ठता: अभय-अनुग्रह-विप्रपूजा)
ततो5हमागम्य पुरे त्वामवोचं महीपते । नियम कंचिदारप्स्ये शुश्रूषा क्रियतामिति
tato ’ham āgamya pure tvām avocaṁ mahīpate | niyamaṁ kañcid ārapsye śuśrūṣā kriyatām iti ||
Pagkaraan, O hari, dumating ako sa iyong lungsod at sinabi: “Magsasagawa ako ng isang vrata (banal na panata); paglingkuran mo ako.” (Sa layuning iyon, sa katotohanan ay naghahanap ako ng kapintasan sa iyo.) Ngunit kahit nanirahan ako sa iyong bahay, hanggang ngayon ay wala akong natagpuang anumang kasalanan sa iyo. O maharlikang rishi, dahil dito ikaw ay nabubuhay pa; kung hindi, ang iyong kapangyarihan at katayuan ay napuksa na sana.
च्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s survival and legitimacy rest on dharma: faultless conduct, humility, and proper service to the virtuous. The verse frames ascetic discipline (niyama) and the demand for service (śuśrūṣā) as a moral test—implying that ethical integrity protects sovereignty, while serious faults can destroy a king’s standing.
Cyavana tells the king that he came to the city announcing a vow and requesting service, but his hidden purpose was to observe the king closely and find a fault. Living in the king’s house, he has found none; therefore he declares that the king remains alive and secure—otherwise his power would have been wiped out.