Shloka 87
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदर्थयसे नित्यं मनुष्यान् समलंकृत: । उत्थाय काले कालनज्ञै: सह पाण्डव मन्त्रिभि:
kaccid arthayase nityaṁ manuṣyān samalaṅkṛtaḥ | utthāya kāle kālajñaiḥ saha pāṇḍava mantribhiḥ, pāṇḍunandana! tvaṁ pratidina samayapara uṭhkara snāna-ādike paścāt vastra-ābhūṣaṇaiḥ alaṅkṛta ho deśa-kāla-ke jñātā mantriyoṁ ke sātha baiṭhkara (prārthī yā darśanārthī) manuṣyoṁ kī icchā pūrṇa karate ho na?
Nārada said: “Do you, O son of Pāṇḍu, rise each day at the proper time, bathe and attend to your duties, adorn yourself with garments and ornaments, and—seated with your Pāṇḍava ministers who understand time and circumstance—regularly grant audience to people and fulfill the requests of petitioners?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes disciplined daily conduct, personal cleanliness and dignity, and accessible, timely administration—he should hear petitioners with competent advisers and fulfill rightful requests according to time and circumstance.
Nārada is examining Yudhiṣṭhira’s royal governance by asking whether he follows a proper daily regimen and, with wise ministers, regularly grants audience to people and addresses their needs.