Shloka 20
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
भृत्यान् भोगैर्द्धिषो दण्डैयों योजयति सो<र्थवान् | एतन्मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ मत॑ं मम यथातथम् | अनयोस्तु निबोध त्वं वचनं वाक्यकण्ठयो:,धनवान् वही है जो अपने भृत्योंको उत्तम भोग और शत्रुओंको दण्ड देकर उनको वशमें रखता है। बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ महाराज! मुझे तो यही मत ठीक जँचता है। अब आप इन दोनोंकी बात सुनिये। इनकी वाणी कण्ठतक आ गयी है, अर्थात् ये दोनों भाई बोलनेके लिये उतावले हो रहे हैं
Arjuna uvāca |
Bhṛtyān bhogair dhiṣo daṇḍaiś ca yojayati so 'rthavān |
Etan matimatāṃ śreṣṭha mataṃ mama yathātatham |
Anayos tu nibodha tvaṃ vacanaṃ vākyakaṇṭhayoḥ ||
Arjuna said: “He is truly prosperous who keeps his dependents devoted through worthy enjoyments and restrains his enemies through punishment. O best of the wise, this is the view that seems right to me, just as it is. Now listen to the words of these two—both have their speech risen to the throat, meaning they are eager and pressing to speak.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity and effective rule (artha) require a balanced policy: supporting one’s dependents with appropriate comforts and incentives, while restraining hostile forces through just punishment—both welfare and discipline are necessary instruments of governance.
Arjuna states his view on what constitutes true prosperity and effective control in rulership, then urges the listener to hear the impending statements of “these two,” who are portrayed as eager to speak (their words ‘at the throat’).