Shloka 16
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
न चानुशिष्याद् राजानमपृच्छन्तं कदाचन । तृष्णी त्वेममुपासीत काले समभिपूजयेत्,बिना पूछे राजाको कभी कर्तव्यका उपदेश न दे। मौनभावसे ही उसकी सेवा करे और उपयुक्त अवसरपर राजाकी प्रशंसा भी करे
na cānuśiṣyād rājānam apṛcchantam kadācana | tṛṣṇīm tv enam upāsīta kāle samabhipūjayet ||
Dhaumya berkata: “Jangan sekali-kali menasihati raja apabila baginda tidak bertanya. Sebaliknya, berkhidmatlah kepadanya dalam diam yang penuh hormat, dan pada waktunya berilah penghormatan serta pujian yang wajar.”
धौग्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not offer unsolicited instruction to a ruler; maintain respectful restraint, serve quietly, and speak praise or counsel only at the appropriate time.
Dhāumya is laying down a rule of conduct for dealing with kings: unsolicited admonition is improper, whereas silent service and timely honor preserve dignity and effectiveness in counsel.