इष्टम् धर्मेण योजयेत् !

The two verses discussed in this article are adopted from ‘Samayochit Padyamalika’ – Collection of appropriate verses. They are also there in Panchatantra. It gives a message that whatever we desire and we wish to achieve should be secured in a righteous way. It is to be noted that the word ‘Dharma’ in Sanskrit scriptures is used in the sense of ‘duty’, ‘proper conduct’ and not in the sense of ‘religion ‘(way of worship, etc.) as we understand today. So it is not used in the sense of a community or sect.

सत्कुले योजयेत्कन्यां पुत्रम् विद्यासु योजयेत् !

व्यसने योजयेच्छत्रुमिष्टं धर्मेण योजयेत् !!

Literal meaning of first shloka –

One should get one’s daughter married into a family of high morals, good culture, etc. (Elite family). One should get one’s son connected to ‘studies’ ‘learning’ (vidyabhyas). One should get one’s enemy connected to some calamity (put an enemy into a difficulty); and thus, one should achieve one’s desired object in a manner acceptable to the Dharma.

उत्तमं प्रणिपातेन �