Shloka 15
Dāna-Śreṣṭhatā: Abhaya, Anugraha, and the Ethics of Honoring the Worthy (दानश्रेष्ठता: अभय-अनुग्रह-विप्रपूजा)
नच ते दुष्कृतं किंचिदहमासादयं गृहे । तेन जीवसि राजर्षे न भवेथास्त्वमन्यथा
na ca te duṣkṛtaṃ kiñcid aham āsādayaṃ gṛhe | tena jīvasi rājarṣe na bhavethās tvam anyathā bhūpāla ||
میں نے تمہارے گھر میں تمہارا کوئی بھی بدعمل—ذرا سا بھی—نہیں پایا۔ اے راجرشی، اسی سبب تم زندہ ہو؛ ورنہ، اے محافظِ زمین، تم اپنی اس حالت پر قائم نہ رہتے—تمہاری سطوت مٹ جاتی۔
च्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and even survival are portrayed as resting on moral integrity: when no wrongdoing (duṣkṛta) can be found in his conduct and household, he is protected; otherwise, loss of status and life follows. The verse underscores accountability and the ethical scrutiny expected of kings.
The sage Cyavana addresses a king (honored as a rājarṣi), stating that despite staying in the king’s house and observing closely, he has found no fault. Therefore the king remains alive and established; had there been wrongdoing, the consequences would have been ruinous.