Shloka 27
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कुलीनाश्षानुरक्ताश्न कृतास्ते वीर मन्त्रिण: | विजयो मन्त्रमूलो हि राज्ञो भवति भारत,क्या तुम्हें इस बातका अनुमान है कि उदासीन एवं मध्यम व्यक्तियोंके प्रति कैसा बर्ताव करना चाहिये? वीर! तुमने अपने स्वयंके समान विश्वसनीय वृद्ध, शुद्ध हृदयवाले, किसी बातको अच्छी तरह समझानेमें समर्थ, उत्तम कुलमें उत्पन्न और अपने प्रति अत्यन्त अनुराग रखनेवाले पुरुषोंको ही मन्त्री बना रखा है न? क्योंकि भारत! राजाकी विजयप्राप्तिका मूल कारण अच्छी मन्त्रणा (सलाह) और उसकी सुरक्षा ही है, (जो सुयोग्य मन्त्रीके अधीन है)
kulīnāś cānuraktāś ca kṛtās te vīra mantriṇaḥ | vijayo mantramūlo hi rājño bhavati bhārata |
Nārada said: “O hero, you have appointed as your ministers men of noble lineage and deep personal loyalty—trustworthy elders, pure in heart, and capable of explaining matters clearly. For, O Bhārata, a king’s victory is rooted in sound counsel and in the safeguarding of that counsel; competent ministers are the foundation of such success.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s success depends fundamentally on wise, trustworthy counsel and the protection of that counsel; therefore ministers should be competent, loyal, and of proven character.
Nārada addresses a Bharata-descended ruler/hero, affirming (and implicitly advising) that he should keep ministers who are noble, devoted, mature, and capable, because victory and stable rule arise from sound, secure deliberation.