Shloka 15
अध्याय ६ — युधिष्ठिरस्य वैराग्य-वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनगमनाभिलाषश्च
Chapter 6: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Appeal and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Resolve for the Forest
कार्य यत्नेन शत्रूणां स्वराज्यं रक्षता स्वयम् । न च हिंस्यो5भ्युपगत: सामन्तो वृद्धिमिच्छता,अपने राज्यकी रक्षा करनेवाले राजाको यत्नपूर्वक शत्रुओंके साथ उपर्युक्त बर्ताव करना चाहिये; परंतु अपनी वृद्धि चाहनेवाले नरेशको शरणमें आये हुए सामन्तका वध कदापि नहीं करना चाहिये
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
kāryaṃ yatnena śatrūṇāṃ svarājyaṃ rakṣatā svayam |
na ca hiṃsyo 'bhyupagataḥ sāmanto vṛddhim icchatā ||
قال دِهْرِتَرَاشْتْرَا: «إنّ الملكَ الذي يحرس مُلكه يجب أن يتعامل مع الأعداء بجهدٍ يقِظٍ وبما يليق. أمّا الحاكمُ الذي يبتغي ازدهارَه فلا ينبغي له قطّ أن يؤذي الأميرَ التابعَ المجاور إذا جاء طالبًا الجوارَ ومُعلنًا الخضوع.»
धघतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: while a king must actively safeguard his realm against enemies, he must not harm a sāmanta who has approached in submission/refuge; protecting the surrendered is presented as a policy that also supports the ruler’s long-term prosperity.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a principle of governance and ethical statecraft, contrasting necessary vigilance toward enemies with the inviolability of one who has come over seeking protection or allegiance.