Shloka 121
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चित् सूत्राणि सर्वाणि गृह्नासि भरतर्षभ । हस्तिसूत्रा श्वसूत्राणि रथसूत्राणि वा विभो
kaccit sūtrāṇi sarvāṇi gṛhṇāsi bharatarṣabha | hastisūtrā śvasūtrāṇi rathasūtrāṇi vā vibho ||
ナーラダは言った。「バーラタ族の雄牛よ、実際の要諦を簡潔に示す諸スートラをことごとく、たとえば象の書・馬の書・戦車の書などを、怠らず学び、身に収めているか。力ある者よ、これらの学芸を常に稽古し続けているか。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes disciplined learning and continual practice of practical sciences (especially those tied to governance and defense). Mastery of such ‘sūtras’ is presented as an ethical responsibility: competence protects subjects and prevents reckless rule.
The sage Nārada is examining the king/prince’s readiness for rule by asking pointed ‘kaccit’ questions. Here he checks whether the addressee keeps up systematic study of technical manuals—elephant, horse, and chariot lore—implying comprehensive training in royal and military administration.