Shloka 20
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
भृत्यान् भोगैर्द्धिषो दण्डैयों योजयति सो<र्थवान् | एतन्मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ मत॑ं मम यथातथम् | अनयोस्तु निबोध त्वं वचनं वाक्यकण्ठयो:
Arjuna uvāca |
Bhṛtyān bhogair dhiṣo daṇḍaiś ca yojayati so 'rthavān |
Etan matimatāṃ śreṣṭha mataṃ mama yathātatham |
Anayos tu nibodha tvaṃ vacanaṃ vākyakaṇṭhayoḥ ||
アルジュナは言った。「真に富める者とは、従者にはふさわしい享楽を与えて心をつなぎ、敵には刑罰をもって抑え、支配下に置く者である。賢者のうち最上の方よ、これこそが、ありのままに見て私には正しいと思われる見解だ。さあ、この二人の言葉を聞いてほしい——二人とも言葉が喉元までせり上がっている、すなわち語りたくてたまらぬのだ。」
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity and effective rule (artha) require a balanced policy: supporting one’s dependents with appropriate comforts and incentives, while restraining hostile forces through just punishment—both welfare and discipline are necessary instruments of governance.
Arjuna states his view on what constitutes true prosperity and effective control in rulership, then urges the listener to hear the impending statements of “these two,” who are portrayed as eager to speak (their words ‘at the throat’).