Shloka 21
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
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 ||
اگر بادشاہ حفاظت نہ کرے تو بدکاری سے نفرت باقی نہ رہے؛ کھیتی برقرار نہ رہے؛ تجارت کے راستے ٹوٹ جائیں؛ دھرم ڈوب جائے؛ اور ویدوں کی تثلیث کا نام و نشان مٹ جائے۔
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.