Shloka 14

Bṛhaspati’s Counsel on Contentment

Santoṣa), Restraint, and Adroha (Non-injury

Devanagari script

क्षत्रियो यज्ञशिष्टाशी राजा शान्‍्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित्‌ । असाधुनिग्रहरत: साधूनां प्रग्रहे रत:

Transliteration

kṣatriyo yajñaśiṣṭāśī rājā śāntārthatattvavit | asādhunigraharataḥ sādhūnāṃ pragrahe rataḥ ||

Translation

ایک کشتریہ راجا کو یَجْن کے بعد بچا ہوا (یَجْنَشِشْٹ) ہی کھانا چاہیے، شانتی اور حکمرانی کے شاستر کے حقیقی مفہوم سے واقف ہونا چاہیے، بدکاروں کی سرکوبی میں مشغول رہنا چاہیے اور نیکوں کی سرپرستی و حفاظت میں بھی اسی طرح دل لگانا چاہیے۔

Word by Word

क्षत्रियःa Kshatriya (warrior)

यज्ञशिष्टाशीone who eats the remnants of sacrifice

राजाking

शास्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित्knower of the true purport and principles of the scriptures

असाधुनिग्रहरतःdelighting in the punishment/restraint of the wicked

साधूनाम्of the good (people)

प्रग्रहेin supporting/holding up; in protection/control

रतःengaged; devoted; delighting

Speaker

देवस्थान उवाच

Characters & Entities

devasthāna (speaker designation)

kṣatriya

rājā

yajña

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse defines ideal kingship: a ruler should be disciplined and dharmic (living on sacrificial remainder), understand the true aim of peace and policy, actively restrain wrongdoers, and actively uphold and protect the righteous.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, the speaker (Devast(h)āna) describes the qualities and conduct expected of a kṣatriya king, emphasizing both punitive justice and benevolent protection as complementary royal duties.