Shloka 85
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदात्ययिकं श्रुत्वा तदर्थमनुचिन्त्य च । प्रियाण्यनुभवउ्छेषे न त्वमन्तःपुरे नृप
kaccid ātyayikaṃ śrutvā tad-artham anucintya ca | priyāṇy anubhavo'cchese na tvam antaḥpure nṛpa ||
Nārada said: “O king, when you hear ominous tidings of impending danger and reflect upon their meaning again and again, do you not still remain within the inner apartments, absorbed in pleasant enjoyments and indulgences?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must not retreat into private pleasures when warned of danger; ethical kingship requires alertness, reflection, and timely action rather than complacency in comfort.
Nārada questions the king’s conduct, probing whether—despite hearing ominous reports and thinking about them—he still remains in the inner palace enjoying luxuries, implying negligence of royal duty.