Shloka 18
Śīla-prāpti and Śīla-lakṣaṇa (शीलप्राप्ति-शीललक्षणम्) | On the Acquisition and Marks of Character
त॑ प्रजा नानुवर्तन्ते ब्राह्मयणा न च साधव: । ततः संशयमाप्रोति तथा वध्यत्वमेति च
taṁ prajā nānuvartante brāhmaṇā na ca sādhavaḥ | tataḥ saṁśayam āpnoti tathā vadhyatvam eti ca ||
当君主堕入如此境地时，百姓不再追随他；婆罗门与贤德之士也不再支持他的引领。于是他成为众人疑惧的对象，性命陷于危殆，最终甚至可能遭到诛杀——往往正出自他本应庇护的百姓之手。
कामन्दक उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s authority depends on dharmic conduct and moral legitimacy. When he loses the confidence of the people and the endorsement of the virtuous and brāhmaṇas, suspicion arises and he becomes vulnerable—even to the point of being considered fit to be removed or slain.
Kāmandaka is describing the political-ethical fallout of a king’s decline into wrongful conduct: public support collapses, respected moral voices withdraw, distrust spreads, and the ruler’s personal safety and right to rule are imperiled.