Shloka 38
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदष्टादशान्येषु स्वपक्षे दश पठच च । त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकै:,क्या तुम शत्रुपक्षेके अठारह5 और अपने पक्षके पंद्रह: तीर्थोंकी तीन-तीन अज्ञात गुप्तचरोंद्वारा देख-भाल या जाँच-पड़ताल करते रहते हो?
kaccid aṣṭādaśāny eṣu svapakṣe daśa pañca ca | tribhis tribhir avijñātair vetsi tīrthāni cārakaiḥ ||
Nārada berkata: “Adakah tuanku mengawasi—melalui ejen rahsia, tiga orang bagi setiap tempat, yang tidak dikenali—‘stesen-stesen’ strategik dalam lapan belas bahagian pihak musuh, dan demikian juga lima belas bahagian di pihak tuanku sendiri?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s duty includes vigilant, discreet intelligence-gathering to protect the realm and prevent harm. The verse emphasizes structured verification (agents in groups of three) and awareness of key strategic nodes, balancing prudence with responsible governance.
Nārada is examining the king’s preparedness and administrative competence. He asks whether the king maintains covert surveillance over important points in both enemy territory and his own domain through unrecognized spies, ensuring reliable information and internal security.