Shloka 2
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
राज्ञां वित्त च कोशं च कोशसंचयनं जय: । अमात्यगुणवृत्तिश्व प्रकृतीनां च वर्धनम्
rājñāṁ vittaṁ ca kośaṁ ca kośasañcayanaṁ jayaḥ | amātyaguṇavṛttiś ca prakṛtīnāṁ ca vardhanam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „(Lehre mich weiter) über den Reichtum der Könige und die Schatzkammer—wie sie aufgebaut und vermehrt wird; über den Sieg (über Feinde); über die Eigenschaften und das Verhalten der Minister; und darüber, wie die tragenden Elemente des Reiches (Volk und staatliche Stützen) gefördert und zur Blüte gebracht werden.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames key pillars of righteous kingship (rājadharma): sound finances and treasury management, strategic success (victory), competent and ethical ministers, and the systematic strengthening of the realm’s constituent supports (people and state factors).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance, Yudhiṣṭhira continues his inquiry, asking for guidance on practical statecraft—revenue and treasury, winning conflicts, selecting and assessing ministers, and promoting the welfare and strength of the kingdom’s foundational elements.