Shloka 22
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदात्मानमन्वीक्ष्य परांश्व जयतां वर | तथा संधाय कर्माणि अष्टौ भारत सेवसे
kaccid ātmānam anvīkṣya parāṁś ca jayatāṁ vara | tathā sandhāya karmāṇi aṣṭau bhārata sevase ||
Nārada said: “O best of victors, O Bhārata (Yudhiṣṭhira), do you, after carefully assessing your own strength and that of your adversaries, and—when the enemy proves stronger—maintain a prudent alliance with him, while pursuing the eight practical measures of statecraft for the increase of wealth and the royal treasury?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should govern with clear-eyed assessment of strengths and risks, and when necessary adopt peace or alliance with a stronger foe, while systematically applying practical policies (the ‘eight measures’) to protect and strengthen the kingdom’s resources, especially wealth and the treasury.
In the Sabha Parva, Nārada questions and counsels Yudhiṣṭhira about sound kingship. Here he asks whether Yudhiṣṭhira evaluates both sides’ power and, if the opponent is stronger, maintains a strategic treaty (sandhi) and follows the recognized set of eight administrative/political measures aimed at consolidating prosperity and security.