Shloka 10
धृतराष्ट्रोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Instruction on Rājadharma and Bala
तद् ददातु भवान् वित्तं यावदिच्छसि पार्थिव । त्वमी श्वरो 5स्य राज्यस्य प्राणानामपि भारत,'पृथ्वीनाथ! भरतनन्दन! आप जितना धन दान करना चाहें, करें। आप मेरे राज्य और प्राणोंके भी ईश्वर हैं!
tad dadātu bhavān vittaṁ yāvad icchasi pārthiva | tvam īśvaro 'sya rājyasya prāṇānām api bhārata ||
پس، اے پارتھِو! آپ جتنا مال خیرات میں دینا چاہیں، دے دیجیے۔ اے بھارت! آپ اس سلطنت کے ہی نہیں، میری جان کے بھی مالک ہیں۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dāna (charitable giving) as a dharmic prerogative of a righteous king and underscores the ethical bond of allegiance: the speaker acknowledges the king’s legitimate authority over wealth, realm, and even personal life, emphasizing duty, gratitude, and ordered sovereignty.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a respectful speaker addresses a king, urging him to donate as much wealth as he wishes. The speaker simultaneously declares complete submission—recognizing the king as master of the kingdom and even of the speaker’s life—thereby reinforcing royal authority and the moral context of giving.