Shloka 2
Night Vigil and Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions to Dāruka (निशि प्रजागरः—दारुकानुशासनम्)
यः प्राप्य राज्यं धर्मेण ऋत्विग्ब्रह्मपुरोहितान् । अपृच्छदात्मन: श्रेय: पृष्टवा तेषां मते स्थित:,उन्होंने धर्मके अनुसार राज्य पाकर ऋत्विजों, ब्राह्मणों तथा पुरोहितोंसे अपने कल्याणका उपाय पूछा और पूछकर वे उनकी सम्मतिके अनुसार चलते रहे
yaḥ prāpya rājyaṃ dharmeṇa ṛtvig-brahma-purohitān | apṛcchad ātmanaḥ śreyaḥ pṛṣṭvā teṣāṃ mate sthitaḥ ||
Nārada said: “Having obtained the kingdom by righteous means, he consulted the officiating priests, the Brahmins, and the royal chaplains about what would truly be for his own welfare. After asking them, he remained steadfast in acting according to their considered counsel.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should seek śreyas (true welfare) through dharma and by consulting qualified religious and ethical authorities (ṛtvij, brāhmaṇas, purohitas), then act consistently with sound counsel rather than impulse or self-interest.
Nārada describes a king who, after gaining sovereignty righteously, asks priests and Brahmins what course will lead to his welfare and then governs by following their advice—presenting an ideal of dharma-guided rule.