Shloka 19
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्म धर्मेणार्थमथापि वा । उभौ वा प्रीतिसारेण न कामेन प्रबाधसे
kaccid arthena vā dharmaṁ dharmeṇārtham athāpi vā | ubhau vā prītisāreṇa na kāmena prabādhase ||
ナーラダは言った。「富への執着ゆえに、利（アルタ artha）を得んとして法（ダルマ dharma）を損なうことがあるか。あるいは法のみに固執して、正当な利の追求を怠ってはいないか。さらに、ただ迷妄を力とする欲（カーマ kāma）に駆られ、快楽に耽って法と利の双方を害してはいないか。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse tests ethical balance: one should not sacrifice dharma for wealth, nor neglect legitimate artha in the name of dharma, and must especially guard against kāma-driven indulgence that destroys both moral duty and practical welfare.
Nārada, in a probing advisory tone, questions the ruler’s conduct—asking whether his governance and personal life are free from the common pitfalls of greed, one-sided ascetic rigidity, or pleasure-seeking that undermines both righteousness and prosperity.