Shloka 12
धृतराष्ट्रस्य स्पर्शाभिलाषः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Request for Touch and Permission for Tapas
यात्रां गच्छेद् बलैर्युक्तो राजा सद्धि: परंतप । युक्तश्न देशकालाभ्यां बलैरात्मगुणैस्तथा,परंतप नरेश! देश-कालकी अनुकूलता होनेपर सैनिक-बल तथा राजोचित गुणोंसे युक्त राजा अच्छी सेना साथ लेकर विजयके लिये यात्रा करे
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
yātrāṃ gacched balairyukto rājā saddhiḥ parantapa |
yuktaś ca deśa-kālābhyāṃ balair ātma-guṇais tathā ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O scorcher of foes, a king should set out on a campaign only when supported by adequate forces and loyal allies. When the land and the time are favorable, and when he is equipped with military strength as well as his own kingly virtues, then—O mighty ruler—he should march with a good army for victory.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should not rush into a campaign; he should act only when strength, allies, personal competence, and the suitability of place and time align—an ethic of prudent, responsible kingship (rājadharma).
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is giving counsel on royal conduct, stating the conditions under which a king should undertake a victory-seeking expedition: adequate troops, supportive allies, favorable circumstances, and kingly virtues.