Shloka 12
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
न पूर्णोडस्मीति मन्येत धर्मत: कामतो<र्थत: । बुद्धितो मित्रतश्नापि सततं वसुधाधिप:
na pūrṇo ’smi iti manyeta dharmataḥ kāmato ’rthataḥ | buddhito mitrataś cāpi satataṃ vasudhādhipaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vāmadeva: “Ang hari, panginoon ng lupa, ay hindi dapat mag-isip kailanman, ‘Ako’y ganap na.’ Kahit taglay niya ang dharma, artha, kāma, matalinong paghatol, at matatapat na kaibigan, dapat siyang manatiling mapagbantay at patuloy na magsikap na patibayin at paramihin ang mga sandigan ng paghahari. Sapagkat ang pagkakampante sa pagkahari ang nagiging pintuan ng pagbagsak.”
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should avoid complacency. Even when established in dharma, prosperity (artha), legitimate enjoyment (kāma), good judgment (buddhi), and strong alliances (mitra), he must keep cultivating and safeguarding these foundations, because kingship requires continuous effort and vigilance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on royal duty (rājadharma), the sage Vāmadeva addresses the ideal conduct of a king, emphasizing that a sovereign should not become self-satisfied but should constantly work to strengthen righteousness, resources, wise counsel, and alliances.