Shloka 8
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
संधिविग्रहतत्त्वज्ञस्त्वनुमानवि भागवित् । षाडुण्यविधियुक्तश्न सर्वशास्त्रविशारद:
sandhivigrahatattvajñas tv anumāna-vibhāgavit | ṣāḍguṇya-vidhi-yuktaś ca sarvaśāstra-viśāradaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: He was a knower of the true principles of alliance and hostility, skilled in reasoning and in distinguishing conclusions by inference; he was also trained in the sixfold measures of statecraft and was thoroughly versed in all the authoritative treatises.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competent governance requires disciplined knowledge of diplomacy and conflict (sandhi–vigraha), the ability to reason by inference (anumāna), and mastery of the six strategic options (ṣāḍguṇya). Such expertise should guide decisions toward stability and responsible action rather than impulsive force.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a figure’s qualifications—portraying him as an accomplished adviser or statesman: expert in treaties and war, analytically sharp, trained in classical policy doctrine, and broadly learned in śāstric knowledge.