Shloka 128
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं-जनमेजय! कुरुश्रेष्ठ महात्मा राजा युधिष्ठिरने ब्रह्माके पुत्रोंमें श्रेष्ठ नारदजीका यह वचन सुनकर उनके दोनों चरणोंमें प्रणाम एवं अभिवादन किया और अत्यन्त संतुष्ट हो देवस्वरूप नारदजीसे कहा ।।
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | evaṃ kariṣyāmi yathā tvayoktaṃ prajñā hi me bhūya evābhivṛddhā | uktvā tathā caiva cakāra rājā lebhe mahīṃ sāgaramekhalāṃ ca ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “I shall act exactly as you have instructed. Indeed, through your discourse my understanding has grown still further.” Having spoken thus, the king acted accordingly, and by that very conduct he attained sovereignty over the earth, girdled by the ocean.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wisdom gained from a sage’s instruction must be translated into consistent conduct; dharmic obedience and disciplined action are presented as the basis of legitimate sovereignty and success.
After hearing Nārada’s counsel (as reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana to Janamejaya), Yudhiṣṭhira declares he will follow it, notes his increased discernment, and then acts accordingly—resulting in his attainment of rule over the ocean-bounded earth.