Shloka 21
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
+ कच्चिद् राजगुणै: षड्भि: सप्तोपायांस्तथानघ । बलाबलं तथा सम्यक् चतुर्दश परीक्षसे
kaccid rājaguṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ saptopāyāṁs tathānagha | balābalaṁ tathā samyak caturdaśa parīkṣase, niṣpāpa yudhiṣṭhira ||
Nārada said: “O blameless one—sinless Yudhiṣṭhira—do you continually and correctly assess: the six royal virtues, the seven practical measures of statecraft, the true strengths and weaknesses of both yourself and your enemy, and the fourteen key functionaries such as guardians of the realm and guardians of forts?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must unite moral character with practical governance: continually evaluate personal and enemy capabilities, apply recognized measures of policy, and scrutinize the competence and loyalty of key administrators. Ethical kingship includes disciplined oversight, not mere good intentions.
Nārada addresses Yudhiṣṭhira with a series of ‘kaccit’ questions, testing whether he is ruling according to rajadharma—maintaining royal virtues, using strategic measures wisely, and keeping vigilant administrative control through responsible officials.