Shloka 30

Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel

Devanagari script

वश्येन्द्रियं जितामात्यं धृतदण्डं विकारिषु | परीक्ष्यकारिणं धीरमत्यर्थ श्रीनिषेवते,“जिसने अपनी इन्द्रियोंको वशमें कर रखा है, मन्त्रियोंपर विजय पा ली है तथा जो अपराधियोंको दण्ड प्रदान करता है, खूब सोच-समझकर कार्य करनेवाले उस धीर पुरुषकी लक्ष्मी अत्यन्त सेवा करती है

Transliteration

vaśyendriyaṃ jitāmātyaṃ dhṛtadaṇḍaṃ vikāriṣu | parīkṣyakāriṇaṃ dhīram atyarthaṃ śrī niṣevate ||

Translation

能制伏诸根，能驭群臣使之守度，能对作恶者执罚不移，且凡事审察而后行者——此等沉毅明断之人，吉祥与富贵之女神室利（Śrī）必厚加侍从。

Word by Word

वश्येन्द्रियम्having controlled senses

जितामात्यम्having conquered/overcome ministers (i.e., subdued his ministers)

धृतदण्डम्holding the rod (i.e., maintaining punishment/discipline)

विकारिषुamong offenders/wrongdoers

परीक्ष्यकारिणम्one who acts after examination/deliberation

धीरम्steadfast, wise

अत्यर्थम्exceedingly, greatly

श्रीःfortune, prosperity (Lakshmi)

निषेवतेserves, attends upon

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Śrī (Lakṣmī)

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Prosperity follows disciplined leadership: mastery over one’s senses, firm control of the administrative apparatus, just punishment of offenders, and careful deliberation before action are presented as the ethical foundations upon which Śrī (fortune and royal splendor) naturally rests.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana states a general maxim on ideal rulership and conduct, describing the qualities of a steady, prudent man—especially a ruler—whose governance and self-restraint attract and sustain prosperity.