Mahabharata · 5.134.21
॥
Devanāgarī
नियन्तारम् असाधूनां गोप्तारं धर्मचारिणाम् ॥
तदर्थं क्षत्रिया सूते वीरं सत्यपराक्रमम् ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
niyantāram asādhūnāṃ goptāraṃ dharmacāriṇām ||
tadarthaṃ kṣatriyā sūte vīraṃ satyaparākramam ||
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
नियन्तारम्niyantārama restrainer; a ruler
असाधूनांasādhūnāṃof wicked men; of the unrighteous
गोप्तारंgoptāraṃa protector; a guardian
धर्मचारिणाम्dharmacāriṇāmof those who walk in dharma; of the righteous
तदर्थंtadarthaṃfor that purpose; to that end
क्षत्रियाkṣatriyāa kshatriya woman; a woman of the warrior line
सूतेsūtebears; brings forth
वीरंvīraṃa hero; a valiant one
सत्यपराक्रमम्satyaparākramamof true valor; whose might is truthful
Translation
'For this purpose a kshatriya woman bears a hero of true valor: a restrainer of the wicked and a protector of those who walk in dharma.'
Version
fc3fb266b4fe · published Jul 17, 2026, 5:59:56 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
The conclusion of the story of Vidula shows the practical side of kshatriya dharma: a ruler must not display brokenness, for his steadfastness determines his circle of allies, his kingdom, and his very capacity to restore order.