Verse 7.123

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

राज्ञो हि रक्षाधिकृताः परस्वादायिनः शठाः ।
भृत्या भवन्ति प्रायेण तेभ्यो रक्षेदिमाः प्रजाः ॥ १२३ ॥

rājño hi rakṣādhikṛtāḥ parasvādāyinaḥ śaṭhāḥ |
bhṛtyā bhavanti prāyeṇa tebhyo rakṣedimāḥ prajāḥ || 123 ||

As the king’s servants, appointed to protect the people, generally become knaves, bent upon seizing the property of others,—he shall protect his people against them—(133)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Bent upon seizinq the properly of others’—those who. are in the habit of taking what belongs to others.

‘Knaves’—addicted to wicked deeds.

Persons appointed ore likely to become such; even though before appointment they may be quite honest and hence inclined to protect the wealth of other persons. Hence the King should not leave them alone, relying upon their former character; he should be ever watchful of their conduct.

‘He shall protect the people against them,’—By ignoring them, it is not only the King’s own interest that suffers; the people also become reduced to poverty.—(123)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 253);—and in Vivādaratnākara (p. 367).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Mahābhārata (12.87.12-13).—‘The guardians of the people appointed by the king are generally cruel and wicked and inclined to misappropriate the property of others; from these therefore he shall protect the people.’

Yājñavalkya (1.337).—(See under 120.)