Shloka 21
न योनिदोषो वर्तेत न कृषिर्न वणिक्पथ: । मज्जेद् धर्मस्त्रयी न स्याद् यदि राजा न पालयेत्,यदि राजा पालन न करे तो व्यभिचारसे किसीको घृणा न हो, खेती नष्ट हो जाय, व्यापार चौपट हो जाय, धर्म डूब जाय और तीनों वेदोंका कहीं पता न चले
na yonidoṣo varteta na kṛṣir na vaṇikpathaḥ | majjed dharmas trayī na syād yadi rājā na pālayet ||
Wika ni Vasumanā: “Kung hindi poprotektahan ng hari (ang kanyang bayan), mawawala ang pagkasuklam sa maling gawaing seksuwal; hindi mananatili ang pagsasaka; guguho ang mga daan ng kalakalan; lulubog ang dharma; at ang tatlong Veda ay hindi na mananatili—maging ang bakas ng pag-iral nito’y maglalaho.”
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that effective royal protection (pālana) is foundational for ethical restraint, economic stability (farming and trade), and the survival of dharma and Vedic learning. Without governance, both moral norms and material livelihoods deteriorate, and sacred tradition loses its footing.
In the Śānti Parva’s discussion of rājadharma (the duties of kings), Vasumanā argues for the necessity of kingship and enforcement: the king’s protective role prevents social and moral breakdown and sustains the institutions—economic and religious—that uphold civilization.