Shloka 25
Rājapurohita-lakṣaṇa and Purūravas–Vāyu Saṃvāda
Varṇa, Sovereignty, and Abhaya-dāna
साधारण अवस्थामें प्रत्येक मनुष्यका मन शब्द, स्पर्श, रूप, रस और गन्धमें आनन्दका अनुभव करता है; परंतु भयभीत मनुष्यको उन सभी भोगोंमें कोई सुख नहीं मिलता है, इसलिये जो अभयदान करनेवाला है, उसीको महान् फलकी प्राप्ति होती है; क्योंकि तीनों लोकोंमें प्राणदानके समान दूसरा कोई दान नहीं है ।।
sādhāraṇāvasthāyāṁ pratyekaṁ manuṣyasya manaḥ śabda-sparśa-rūpa-rasa-gandheṣu ānandaṁ anubhavati; bhayabhītas tu manuṣyaḥ sarveṣu teṣu bhogeṣu sukhaṁ na vindati; tasmād abhaya-dāyī mahān phalaṁ prāpnoti, yataḥ trailokye prāṇa-dāna-samo ’nyaḥ dāna-viśeṣo nāsti. indro rājā yamo rājā dharmo rājā tathaiva ca; rājā bibharti rūpāṇi, rājñā sarvam idaṁ dhṛtam.
人在常态之时，心于声、触、色、味、香皆能生乐；然一旦为恐惧所攫，诸欲之享尽不成乐。故施无畏者得大果报，因为三界之中，无有布施可比施命。王即因陀罗；王即阎摩；王亦为法（Dharma）之王。王能现多种形相，而此整个世界，亦由王而维持。
ऐल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear destroys the capacity to enjoy even ordinary sense-pleasures; therefore, granting safety and fearlessness—ultimately saving life—is presented as the highest form of giving. The verse also elevates righteous kingship as a cosmic support, equating the king’s role with Indra (sovereignty), Yama (punishment/justice), and Dharma (law/righteousness).
Aiḷa speaks while discussing dharma in the Śānti Parva, emphasizing the supreme merit of protecting others from fear and death. He then turns to the political-ethical frame: the king embodies multiple divine functions and upholds the world through governance, protection, and justice.