गोपायितारं दातारं धर्मनित्यमतन्द्रितम्। अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तमनुरज्यन्ति मानवाः॥
gopāyitāraṁ dātāraṁ dharmanityamatandritam । akāmadveṣasaṁyuktam anurajyanti mānavāḥ ॥
PM's MessageChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj always kept the welfare of the people above all and dedicated himself to their safety. This is why his life remains a guiding light for India even today.
Meaning of Gopāyitāraṁ Dātāraṁ Dharmanityamatandritam
People feel affection for that leader who considers their safety his duty, works actively for public welfare, remains devoted to righteousness and justice, stays alert at all times, and governs impartially, rising above desires and hatred.
Word by word
- गोपायितारम्gopāyitāram
the protector
√गुप्
- दातारम्dātāram
the giver
√दा
- धर्मनित्यम्dharmanityam
constant in dharma
धर्म + नित्य
- अतन्द्रितम्atandritam
unwearied
अ + √तन्द्र्
- अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तम्akāmadveṣasaṁyuktam
free of desire and hatred
अ + काम + द्वेष + सम् + √युज्
- अनुरज्यन्तिanurajyanti
become attached to
अनु + √रञ्ज्
From the root for dyeing: affection that seeps in.
- मानवाःmānavāḥ
people
मनु
Commentary
This verse from the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata outlines the essential traits of a 'Rajadharma' or the code of conduct for a ruler. It emphasizes that a leader's legitimacy and the affection they receive from the people are not based on power alone, but on their commitment to protection (Gopayitaram) and righteousness (Dharma). By mentioning 'Atandritam' (alertness) and being free from 'Akama-dvesha' (desire and hatred), it sets a high standard for governance—one that is proactive, focused, and completely impartial. The verb at the end is the most precise word in the verse. Anurajyanti comes from √rañj, to be dyed or coloured, so the people are said to take on a colour towards such a ruler. Affection of that kind seeps in over time and cannot be demanded, which is why the four qualities preceding it are all sustained conditions rather than acts — protecting, giving, constant in dharma, unwearied.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Mahabharata
View source pageनित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
nityaṃ paricareccaiva tadvai sukṛtamuttamam । kīrtiṃ puṇyaṃ yaśo lokān prāpsyase rājasattama ॥
Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca । nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः। स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु॥
sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ । svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ॥
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that devotion to one's own work is a path to perfection.
More subhashitams on Governance
View topic pageनित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
nityaṃ paricareccaiva tadvai sukṛtamuttamam । kīrtiṃ puṇyaṃ yaśo lokān prāpsyase rājasattama ॥
Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.
ज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.