Shloka 3
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
कच्चित् तेडपि निरातड्का वसन्ति विषये तव । कच्चिद् वर्तसि पौराणीं वृत्तिं राजर्षिसेविताम्,क्या वे भी तुम्हारे राज्यमें निर्भय होकर रहते हैं? क्या तुम प्राचीन राजर्षियोंसे सेवित पुरानी रीति-नीतिका पालन करते हो?
kaccit te 'pi nirātaṅkā vasanti viṣaye tava | kaccid vartasi paurāṇīṁ vṛttiṁ rājarṣi-sevitām ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Do your subjects dwell in your realm free from fear and disturbance? And do you conduct yourself according to the ancient, time-honored code of governance upheld by the royal sages?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is measured by two standards: ensuring the people live without fear (security and justice) and personally adhering to the time-tested ethical norms of rajadharma exemplified by the royal sages.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to the reigning king (contextually Yudhiṣṭhira), inquires about the condition of the kingdom—whether the populace is safe and whether the king follows the ancient righteous model of governance.