Shloka 8
तत्र मित्रबलं राजन् मौलं चैव विशिष्यते । श्रेणीबलं भृतं चैव तुल्ये एवेति मे मति:,राजन! इनमें मित्रबल और धनबल सबसे बढ़कर है। श्रेणीबल और भृत्यबल--ये दोनों समान ही हैं, ऐसा मेरा विश्वास है
tatra mitrabalaṃ rājan maulaṃ caiva viśiṣyate | śreṇībalaṃ bhṛtaṃ caiva tulye eveti me matiḥ ||
ドリタラーシュトラは言った。「このことにおいては、王よ、同盟者の力と自らの財力とが最も決定的である。ギルドの力と雇われの従者の力については、私の見立てでは、ほぼ同等である。」
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛtarāṣṭra ranks sources of political strength: reliable allies and one’s own resources (especially wealth) are most decisive, while institutional backing (guilds) and hired manpower are comparable but secondary. The ethical implication is that durable power rests more on stable relationships and self-sustaining means than on purely purchased force.
In the Ashramavāsika setting, Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks reflectively as an elder king, offering a practical assessment of what constitutes real strength in governance—distinguishing between support from friends/allies, personal/royal resources, organized corporate support, and hired retainers.