Shloka 20
Ālasyadoṣa-nirdeśa (On the Fault of Negligence) — The Camel’s Long-Neck Exemplum
गुह्ां मन्त्र श्र॒ुववतः सुसहायस्य चानघ । परीक्ष्यकारिणो हार्थास्तिष्ठन्तीह युधिष्ठिर । सहायसयुक्तेन मही कृत्स्ना शक््या प्रशासितुम्,निष्पाप युधिष्ठिर! जो गुप्त मन्त्रणा सुनता है, जिसके सहायक अच्छे हैं तथा जो भलीभाँति जान-बूझकर कोई कार्य करता है, उसके पास ही धन स्थिर रहता है। सहायकोंसे सम्पन्न नरेश ही समूची पृथ्वीका शासन कर सकता है
guhyān mantrān śṛṇvataḥ su-sahāyasya cānagha | parīkṣya-kāriṇo hy arthās tiṣṭhantīha yudhiṣṭhira || sahāya-saṃyuktena mahī kṛtsnā śakyā praśāsitum | niṣpāpa yudhiṣṭhira ||
O blameless Yudhiṣṭhira, wealth and practical success remain steady in this world only with one who listens to confidential counsel, is supported by capable allies, and acts after due examination. A king furnished with such helpers can govern the entire earth; without them, sovereignty cannot be securely maintained.
उड्ड उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective and ethical rulership depends on three disciplines: safeguarding and heeding confidential counsel, relying on competent helpers, and acting only after careful examination. Prosperity (artha) is stable where deliberation and capable support exist.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Udḍa addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, emphasizing practical principles of administration: a king’s success and the stability of his resources hinge on wise counsel and strong, trustworthy assistants.