Shloka 15
अध्याय ६ — युधिष्ठिरस्य वैराग्य-वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनगमनाभिलाषश्च
Chapter 6: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Appeal and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Resolve for the Forest
कार्य यत्नेन शत्रूणां स्वराज्यं रक्षता स्वयम् । न च हिंस्यो5भ्युपगत: सामन्तो वृद्धिमिच्छता
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
kāryaṃ yatnena śatrūṇāṃ svarājyaṃ rakṣatā svayam |
na ca hiṃsyo 'bhyupagataḥ sāmanto vṛddhim icchatā ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dijo: «El rey que guarda su propio reino debe, con esfuerzo vigilante, tratar debidamente a los enemigos. Pero el soberano que busca su prosperidad jamás debe dañar al señor vasallo vecino que haya acudido en busca de refugio y sumisión.»
धघतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: while a king must actively safeguard his realm against enemies, he must not harm a sāmanta who has approached in submission/refuge; protecting the surrendered is presented as a policy that also supports the ruler’s long-term prosperity.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a principle of governance and ethical statecraft, contrasting necessary vigilance toward enemies with the inviolability of one who has come over seeking protection or allegiance.