Shloka 17
अज्ञान–लोभयोः परस्परहेतुत्वम्
Mutual Causality of Ignorance and Greed
यत्त्वेव राज्ञो ज्यायिष्ठं कार्याणां तद् ब्रवीमि ते
yattveva rājño jyāyiṣṭhaṃ kāryāṇāṃ tad bravīmi te | janasvara! tvaṃ dhairyayukta-bala-dānair svargalokam abhibhūya jayaṃ prāpnuhi | yasya balaṃ ca ojaś ca sa eva manuṣyo dharmācaraṇe samarthaḥ ||
商那迦说道：“我将告诉你，诸王事之中何者最为第一。噫，人中之主！以坚忍之勇、以力、以施，赢取对天界之胜。唯有具足力量与生气（ojas）之人，方能长久奉行正法（dharma）。”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the highest royal duty as cultivating and exercising steadfast courage, strength, and generosity, because effective dharma-practice requires inner vigor (ojas) and practical power (bala), not merely intention.
Śaunaka addresses a ruler (‘lord of men’) and begins outlining the foremost royal responsibilities, urging him to pursue merit and excellence through fortitude, strength, and charitable giving, presented as the basis for conquering even heavenly attainments.