Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 87
संदधीत न चानार्यान्विगृह्णीयान्न बंधुभिः । नानाप्तैश्चारयेच्चारान्कुर्यात्कार्यमपीडयन्
saṃdadhīta na cānāryānvigṛhṇīyānna baṃdhubhiḥ | nānāptaiścārayeccārānkuryātkāryamapīḍayan
Qu’il conclue des alliances, mais non avec des hommes indignes ; qu’il ne se querelle pas avec ses propres parents. Qu’il emploie des espions par l’entremise d’agents dignes de foi, et qu’il mène les affaires à bien sans opprimer autrui.
Nārada
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra (within Prabhāsa)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Bali
Scene: A diplomatic council: the king consults ministers, rejects an ignoble envoy, reconciles with kinsmen, dispatches discreet messengers, and issues orders ensuring no oppression of subjects.
FAQs
Effective rule must be ethical: choose good company, preserve family harmony, and avoid governance through oppression.
The setting is the Vastrāpatha-kṣetra Māhātmya in Prabhāsa; this verse supports the dharma-teaching dimension of the māhātmya.
None; it is guidance on conduct and administration.