Shloka 72
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिज्ज्ञातीन् गुरून् वृद्धान् वणिज: शिल्पिन: श्रितान् अभीक्षणमनुगृह्नासि धनधान्येन दुर्गतान्
kaccij jñātīn gurūn vṛddhān vaṇijaḥ śilpinaḥ śritān abhīkṣṇam anugṛhṇāsi dhanadhānyena durgatān?
Nārada said: “Do you continually show kindness—by giving wealth and grain—to your dependents: your kinsmen, teachers, and elders, as well as merchants, artisans, and those who have fallen into distress?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma and gṛhastha-dharma: a leader or householder should regularly sustain those under their care—relatives, teachers, elders, and working communities—especially the distressed, through practical support like food and wealth.
Nārada, as a moral examiner, asks a probing question to assess whether the ruler is fulfilling obligations of protection and generosity toward dependents and vulnerable groups, using material aid as an expression of ongoing compassion and duty.