Shloka 66
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चित् स्वपरराष्ट्रेषु बहवो5थधिकृतास्तव । अर्थान् समधितिष्ठन्ति रक्षन्ति च परस्परम्,क्या अपने और शत्रुके राष्ट्रोमें तुम्हारे बहुत-से अधिकारी स्थान-स्थानमें घूम-फिरकर प्रजाको वशमें करने एवं कर लेने आदि प्रयोजनोंको सिद्ध करते हैं और परस्पर मिलकर राष्ट्र एवं अपने पक्षके लोगोंकी रक्षामें लगे रहते हैं?
kaccit svapara-rāṣṭreṣu bahavo ’tha adhikṛtās tava | arthān samadhi-tiṣṭhanti rakṣanti ca parasparam ||
Nārada said: “Do you have many appointed officials who move about in your own realm and in rival realms as well, effectively carrying out state objectives—such as keeping the people under control and collecting revenues—and who, acting in mutual coordination, remain engaged in protecting the kingdom and your own party?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective kingship requires a well-appointed administrative and security apparatus: competent officials who can execute state aims (including revenue and order) and who cooperate to protect the realm. The ethical emphasis is on coordinated, responsible governance rather than arbitrary power.
Nārada is testing the king’s preparedness and adherence to rājadharma by asking whether he has many trusted officials operating across his own and hostile territories, ensuring administration, control, revenue collection, and mutual protection through coordinated action.