Shloka 34
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
सतत निग्रहे युक्त इन्द्रियाणां भवेन्नूप: । ईप्सन्नर्थ च धर्म च द्विषतां च पराभवम्,“अतः: अर्थ, धर्म तथा शत्रुओंका पराभव चाहनेवाले राजाको सदा अपनी इन्द्रियोंको काबूमें रखनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये
satataṁ nigrahe yukta indriyāṇāṁ bhaven nṛpaḥ | īpsann arthaṁ ca dharmaṁ ca dviṣatāṁ ca parābhavam ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—রাজাকে সর্বদা ইন্দ্রিয়সংযমে নিয়োজিত থাকতে হবে। যে অর্থ ও ধর্ম কামনা করে এবং শত্রুদের পরাভবও চায়, তার জন্য অবিরত আত্মসংযমই যথার্থ সাধনা।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: a ruler who aims at artha (effective governance and prosperity), dharma (righteous conduct), and victory over adversaries must first master indriya-nigraha—steady restraint of the senses—because unruled desire and anger undermine judgment and policy.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within the Udyoga Parva’s counsel on conduct and policy, a general principle is stated for kings: continual self-discipline is presented as the foundation for ethical rule and successful political outcomes, including dealing with enemies.