राज्ञो हि व्रतमुत्थानं यज्ञः कार्यानुशासनम्। दक्षिणा वृत्तिसाम्यं च दीक्षितस्याभिषेचनम्॥
rājño hi vratamutthānaṁ yajñaḥ kāryānuśāsanam । dakṣiṇā vṛttisāmyaṁ ca dīkṣitasyābhiṣecanam ॥
PM's MessageAs a vigilant citizen of the country, it is our duty to ensure record voting to make democracy even stronger. In this way, we can not only play our active participation in the rebuilding of India, but can also further strengthen the foundation of a capable and prosperous nation.
Meaning of Rājño Hi Vratamutthānaṁ Yajñaḥ
From the perspective of the welfare of the people, continuously uplifting them, faithfully performing duties as a sacred responsibility, ensuring fair judgment, giving generously, treating everyone with equality, and keeping oneself pure, disciplined and dedicated with a consecrated spirit-this is the true resolve of a representative.
Word by word
- राज्ञःrājñaḥ
of the king
राजन्
- हिhi
indeed
- व्रतम्vratam
the vow
√वृ
- उत्थानम्utthānam
exertion
उद् + √स्था
- यज्ञःyajñaḥ
the sacrifice
√यज्
- कार्यानुशासनम्kāryānuśāsanam
the administering of affairs
√कृ + अनु + √शास्
- दक्षिणाdakṣiṇā
the priestly fee
दक्षिणा
- वृत्तिसाम्यम्vṛttisāmyam
impartiality of livelihood
√वृत् + सम
- चca
and
- दीक्षितस्यdīkṣitasya
of the consecrated one
√दीक्ष्
- अभिषेचनम्abhiṣecanam
the anointing
अभि + √सिच्
Commentary
In this verse, Chanakya (Kautilya) uses the metaphor of a Vedic sacrifice (Yajna) to describe the process of governance. He equates administrative 'Utthanam' (perpetual activity/readiness) to a religious vow (Vrata). A leader's true sacrifice is not a ritual, but the 'Karyanusasanam' (administration of affairs). The 'Dakshina' (offering) expected from a leader is 'Vrittisamyam'—treating every citizen with equality and impartiality. By linking democratic participation (voting) to the 'rebuilding of India' in the post text, the spiritual duty of the ruler is mirrored in the civic duty of the citizen.
Original Post
More from Arthashastra
View source pageप्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम्। नात्मप्रियं प्रियं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं प्रियम्॥
prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ priyaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ priyam ॥
A foundational principle of governance from Kautilya's Arthashastra, stating that a leader's true happiness is found in the welfare of the people.
अनुत्थाने ध्रुवो नाशः प्राप्तस्यानागतस्य च। प्राप्यते फलमुत्थानाल्लभते चार्थसम्पदम्॥
anutthāne dhruvo nāśaḥ prāptasyānāgatasya ca । prāpyate phalam utthānāl labhate cārthasampadam ॥
Inaction leads inevitably to decline, while energetic and diligent effort is the means by which prosperity and worthwhile results are attained.
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.