अधीत्य नीतिशास्त्राणि नीतियुक्तो न दृश्यते । अनभिशनज्ञश्न साचिव्यं गमित: केन हेतुना
adhītya nītiśāstrāṇi nītiyukto na dṛśyate | anabhiśanajñaḥ sacivyaṃ gamitaḥ kena hetunā ||
ಯುಧಿಷ್ಠಿರನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ನೀತಿಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ನೀತಿಯುಕ್ತನಾಗಿ ಯಾರೂ ಕಾಣುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬನು ನೀತಿಗೆ ಅನಭಿಜ್ಞನಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಮಂತ್ರಿಪದಕ್ಕೆ ಏರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಇದು ಯಾವ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ?
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse highlights the gap between theoretical learning (studying nītiśāstra) and lived ethical competence, and questions why social-political appointments often do not align with merit or true discernment.
Yudhiṣṭhira raises a reflective inquiry about governance: why some who have studied policy are not actually righteous or capable in conduct, while others lacking such knowledge still obtain ministerial authority.