Shloka 6
ययातिपतन-कारणम् (The Cause of Yayāti’s Fall) — Nārada’s Counsel on Pride and Reconciliation
ततः प्रतर्दनो5प्याह वाक्यं क्षत्रियपुड्रव: । यथा धर्मरतिर्नित्यं नित्यं युद्धपरायण:
tataḥ pratardano 'py āha vākyaṁ kṣatriyapuṅgavaḥ | yathā dharmaratir nityaṁ nityaṁ yuddhaparāyaṇaḥ ||
Then Pratardana too spoke these words—the foremost of kṣatriyas: “Ever devoted to dharma, he is always steadfast; and always he is committed to the path of battle.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ideal kṣatriya character as a union of unwavering commitment to dharma and readiness for righteous battle—ethical steadfastness paired with the duty to fight when required.
Within Nārada’s narration, Pratardana speaks, describing a warrior-king (or warrior ideal) as constantly devoted to dharma and consistently oriented toward battle, emphasizing the kṣatriya code in the lead-up to conflict.