Shloka 3
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
यद्धितं राज्यतन्त्रस्य कुलस्य च सुखोदयम् । आयत्यां च तदात्वे च क्षेमवृद्धिकरं च यत्,आप मुझे ऐसा कोई उपाय बताइये जो हमारे इस राज्यतन्त्रके लिये हितकारक, कुलके लिये सुखदायक, वर्तमान और भविष्यमें भी कल्याणकी वृद्धि करनेवाला, पुत्र और पौत्रोंकी परम्पराके लिये हितकर, राष्ट्रकी उन्नति करनेवाला तथा अन्न, जल और शरीरके लिये भी लाभकारी हो
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: yad dhitaṁ rājyatantrasya kulasya ca sukhodayam | āyatyāṁ ca tadātve ca kṣemavṛddhikaraṁ ca yat |
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Tell me that course of action which is beneficial to the governance of the kingdom and brings happiness to the royal line—one that increases security and prosperity both now and in the future.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal policy as that which serves the common good: it must sustain the state’s administrative order, secure the dynasty’s well-being, and generate both immediate and long-term security and prosperity (kṣema and vṛddhi).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and peace, Yudhiṣṭhira asks for guidance on the kind of measure or principle that will best support stable governance and enduring welfare for his realm and lineage.