Shloka 21
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
+ कच्चिद् राजगुणै: षड्भि: सप्तोपायांस्तथानघ । बलाबलं तथा सम्यक् चतुर्दश परीक्षसे,निष्पाप युधिष्ठिर! क्या तुम राजोचित छ:* गुणोंके द्वारा सात उपायोंकी, अपने और शत्रुके बलाबलकी तथा देशपाल, दुर्गपाल आदि चौदहः व्यक्तियोंकी भलीभाँति परख करते रहते हो?
kaccid rājaguṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ saptopāyāṁs tathānagha | balābalaṁ tathā samyak caturdaśa parīkṣase, niṣpāpa yudhiṣṭhira ||
Nārada berkata: “Wahai Yudhiṣṭhira yang tidak bercela—adakah engkau sentiasa menilai dengan tepat: enam kebajikan raja, tujuh langkah praktis kenegaraan, kekuatan dan kelemahan sebenar dirimu serta musuhmu, dan empat belas pegawai utama seperti penjaga wilayah dan penjaga kubu?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must unite moral character with practical governance: continually evaluate personal and enemy capabilities, apply recognized measures of policy, and scrutinize the competence and loyalty of key administrators. Ethical kingship includes disciplined oversight, not mere good intentions.
Nārada addresses Yudhiṣṭhira with a series of ‘kaccit’ questions, testing whether he is ruling according to rajadharma—maintaining royal virtues, using strategic measures wisely, and keeping vigilant administrative control through responsible officials.