Shloka 3
Kośa, Bala, and Maryādā: Treasury, Capacity, and Enforceable Limits (कोश-बल-मर्यादा)
दुष्ट मन््त्री ही जिसका सहायक हो, इसीलिये जो श्रेष्ठ परामर्शसे भ्रष्ट हो गया हो एवं राज्यसे जिसके भ्रष्ट हो जानेकी सम्भावना हो और जिसे अपनी उन्नतिका कोई श्रेष्ठ उपाय न दिखायी देता हो, उसके लिये क्या कर्तव्य है? ।।
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | duṣṭamantrī hi yasya sahāyakaḥ, tasmāt yaḥ śreṣṭha-parāmarśena bhraṣṭo bhavet, rājya-bhraṃśasya ca yasya sambhāvanā, svasyonnateś ca śreṣṭham upāyaṃ na paśyati—tasya kiṃ kartavyam? || paracakrābhiyātasya pararāṣṭrāṇi mṛdnataḥ | vigrahe vartamānasya durbalasya balīyasā—tasya kim āśrayaḥ? ||
قال يودهيشثيرا: «إن كان الملك مسنودًا بمستشار شرير، فبذلك انحرف عن الرأي السديد—حتى غدا ضياع ملكه مرجّحًا، ولم يعد يرى وسيلة نبيلة لارتقائه—فماذا يصنع؟ ثم أيضًا: إذا سار حاكمٌ على جيش العدو يطأ أرضه ويدكّ مملكته، ثم هاجمه في أثناء تلك الحملة ملكٌ أقوى منه، فأي ملجأ يبقى لذلك الملك الأضعف وهو أصلاً منغمس في الحرب؟»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rājadharma problem: a ruler’s strength depends on right counsel and prudent strategy. When misled by corrupt ministers and threatened with political collapse—especially amid multi-front war—the king must seek a sound refuge (āśraya) through wise policy: correcting counsel, securing alliances or protection, and choosing actions that preserve the realm and dharma rather than reckless expansion.
In Śānti Parva’s discourse on governance, Yudhiṣṭhira poses a practical question about a king in distress: first, a ruler ruined by bad advisers and facing possible loss of the kingdom; second, a weaker king campaigning against an enemy who is suddenly attacked by a stronger power. He asks what such a king should do and where he can find support.