Shloka 39
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिद् द्विषामविदित: प्रतिपन्नश्न सर्वदा । नित्ययुक्तो रिपून् सर्वान् वीक्षसे रिपुसूदन
kaccid dviṣām aviditaḥ pratipannaś ca sarvadā | nityayukto ripūn sarvān vīkṣase ripusūdana śatrusūdana ||
ナーラダは言った。「おお、敵を討つ者、仇を滅ぼす者よ――敵に策を悟られぬよう常に計略を秘し、つねに自制を保って怠らず、警戒を絶やさずに、あらゆる敵の動きを見張っているか。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must combine ethical discipline with practical vigilance: keep one’s intentions concealed from hostile forces, remain constantly prepared, and monitor adversaries’ activities to protect the realm and uphold rājadharma.
Nārada addresses the ruler with honorific epithets (“slayer of foes”) and asks a probing question about governance—whether he stays ever alert, keeps his plans undisclosed to enemies, and continually watches the movements of all opponents.