Shloka 24
अदारा-नीति
Crisis Composure) and ‘Jaya’ Śravaṇa (Morale-Instruction
पुत्र बोला--माँ! मेरे पास न तो खजाना है और न सहायता करनेवाले सैनिक ही हैं
putra uvāca—mātā! mama na kośo 'sti na ca sahāyakā yodhāḥ; kathaṃ nu me vijayarūpābhīṣṭasiddhir bhaviṣyati? svayam eva cāsyāṃ dāruṇāyāṃ daśāyāṃ vicārya rājye mayā sneho 'pahṛtaḥ, yathā svargāt pāpinasya bhāvaḥ. kiṃ nu tvam upāyaṃ paśyasi yena vijayaṃ labheya? tan me pariṇataprajñe samyak prabrūhi pṛcchate; kariṣyāmi hi tat sarvaṃ yathāvad anuśāsanam.
子は言った。「母上、我には財庫もなく、助ける兵もない。されば、望む成就――勝利――をいかで得ようか。己が苛烈な境遇を思い、我は王権への執着を退けた。罪ある者が天界への憧れを退けるがごとくに。母上は、我が勝つための手立てをお見立てになるか。思慮熟した母上よ、問うところに従い、明らかにお告げください。あなたのすべての教えを、しかるべき作法のままに必ず実行いたします。」
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power without resources (wealth and allies) is fragile; therefore one should seek wise counsel and adopt proper means (upāya) rather than cling to ambition. The verse also frames kingship as an ethical burden: when conditions are unfit, attachment to rule should be examined and, if necessary, relinquished.
A son, facing political-military weakness, confesses to his mother that he lacks both money and supporting forces. He says he has become disenchanted with kingship, and he asks her to propose a workable strategy. He promises to follow her guidance exactly.