Shloka 9
Akṣa-hṛdaya-dāna and Phalāśruti of the Nalopākhyāna (अक्षहृदयदानम् / नलोपाख्यान-फलश्रुतिः)
वंशभोज्यमिदं राज्यमर्थितव्यं यथा तथा । येन केनाप्युपायेन वृद्धानामिति शासनम्,“यह राज्य हमारी वंशपरम्पराके उपभोगमें आनेवाला है। जिस-किसी उपायसे भी जैसे-तैसे इसका उद्धार करना चाहिये; ऐसा वृद्ध पुरुषोंका उपदेश है
Bṛhad-aśva uvāca: vaṃśa-bhojyam idaṃ rājyam arthitavyaṃ yathā tathā | yena kenāpy upāyena vṛddhānām iti śāsanam ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: “Kerajaan ini adalah milik pusaka keturunan kita untuk dinikmati. Maka ia mesti dicari dan dipertahankan—dengan apa jua cara yang termampu. Demikianlah ajaran para tua-tua.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a political maxim attributed to elders: a dynasty should preserve and reclaim its rightful sovereignty by whatever practicable means. It highlights the tension between pragmatic statecraft and ethical restraint, framing kingship as a hereditary trust that must be protected.
Bṛhadaśva, speaking within the Vana Parva context, cites the counsel of senior authorities to justify determined efforts to secure a kingdom viewed as belonging to one’s lineage, emphasizing urgency and strategic flexibility in restoring or safeguarding rule.