Shloka 22
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदात्मानमन्वीक्ष्य परांश्व जयतां वर | तथा संधाय कर्माणि अष्टौ भारत सेवसे,विजेताओंमें श्रेष्ठ भरतवंशी युधिष्ठिर! क्या तुम अपनी और शत्रुकी शक्तिको अच्छी तरह समझकर यदि शत्रु प्रबल हुआ तो उसके साथ संधि बनाये रखकर अपने धन और कोषकी वृद्धिके लिये आठ* कर्मोका सेवन करते हो?
kaccid ātmānam anvīkṣya parāṁś ca jayatāṁ vara | tathā sandhāya karmāṇi aṣṭau bhārata sevase ||
ナーラダは言った。「勝者のうち最上なる者、バーラタ（ユディシュティラ）よ。己の力と敵の力を慎重に量り、敵が優勢と見れば、賢明にその者と盟約を保ちつつ、富と王庫を増すために政道の八つの実務を行っているか。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should govern with clear-eyed assessment of strengths and risks, and when necessary adopt peace or alliance with a stronger foe, while systematically applying practical policies (the ‘eight measures’) to protect and strengthen the kingdom’s resources, especially wealth and the treasury.
In the Sabha Parva, Nārada questions and counsels Yudhiṣṭhira about sound kingship. Here he asks whether Yudhiṣṭhira evaluates both sides’ power and, if the opponent is stronger, maintains a strategic treaty (sandhi) and follows the recognized set of eight administrative/political measures aimed at consolidating prosperity and security.