Shloka 54
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
राजा भोजो विराट सम्राट क्षत्रियो भूपतिर्नप: । य एश्रि: स्तूयते शब्दै: कस्तं नार्चितुमहति
rājā bhojo virāṭ samrāṭ kṣatriyo bhūpatir nṛpaḥ | ya eṣaḥ śrīḥ stūyate śabdaiḥ kas taṃ nārcitum arhati ||
瓦苏玛那说道：“王、婆阇、毗罗吒、转轮圣王、刹帝利、地主、君主——以这些名号，人们称颂那份威严。既如此，谁又会认为不该礼敬那位护民之君呢？”
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical logic of honoring rightful kingship: when a ruler is praised with titles that imply protection, sovereignty, and public responsibility, it is considered proper to show reverence to that guardian of the people—linking social honor to the king’s dharmic function.
Vasumanā is speaking within the Shānti Parva’s discussions on conduct and governance, pointing to the cultural practice of praising a ruler with exalted epithets and arguing that such a publicly acknowledged protector naturally merits honor and worshipful respect.