Shloka 7
जो संकटमें पड़े हुए राजाके राज्यको अपना ही मानकर उसकी तथा राजाकी रक्षाके लिये कृतसंकल्प होते हैं, ऐसे सुह्दोंको तू कभी अपनेसे विलग न कर और वे भी भयभीत अवस्थामें तेरा परित्याग न करें ।। प्रभावं पौरुषं बुद्धिं जिज्ञासन्त्या मया तव । विदधत्या समाश्वासमुक्त तेजोविवृद्धये
prabhāvaṃ pauruṣaṃ buddhiṃ jijñāsantyā mayā tava | vidadhatyā samāśvāsam uktaṃ tejo-vivṛddhaye ||
Deseando conocer tu verdadero influjo, tu vigor varonil y tu juicio, he pronunciado palabras de consuelo para que crezcan tu fuego interior y tu confianza. Por eso, no te separes jamás de los amigos leales que, en la desgracia del rey, consideran el reino como propio y se resuelven a proteger tanto al soberano como a su tierra; y que no ocurra que ellos, cuando surja el temor, te abandonen.
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or leader) must cherish and retain loyal well-wishers who stand firm in crisis, protecting both the person and the polity; such allies should not be cast off, and they in turn should not abandon the leader in fear. Encouragement that strengthens tejas (moral courage and resolve) is presented as a means to sustain this bond.
A ‘son’ addresses counsel to another, stating that the reassurance just offered was meant to test/understand the other’s capability (influence, valor, judgment) and to increase his confidence. The speech then pivots to political-ethical advice about maintaining steadfast allies during a kingdom’s distress.