Mahabharata 4.4.22 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 4, Shloka 22
Dhaumya’s Counsel on Incognito Conduct in a Royal Household (राजवसतौ आचरण-निति)
यत्नाच्चोपचरेदेनमग्निवद् देववत् त्विह । अनुतेनोपचीर्णो हि हन्यादेव न संशय:
yatnāc copacared enam agnivad devavat tv iha | anutena upacīrṇo hi hanyād eva na saṁśayaḥ ||
Dhaumya berkata: “Di dunia ini, hendaklah seseorang berkhidmat kepada raja dengan kewaspadaan yang rapi—jangan terlalu dekat dengannya, kerana ketahuilah dia membakar seperti api; dan jangan sekali-kali menghina, kerana ketahuilah dia seperti dewa, berkuasa menahan dan mengurnia. Maka, layani dia dengan tekun. Tiada syak: sesiapa yang berkhidmat kepada raja dengan perhatian palsu dan tipu daya, pada suatu hari pasti dibunuh olehnya.”
धौग्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Serve a ruler with careful balance: keep respectful distance because royal power can burn like fire, yet never show contempt because the king can grant favor or restraint like a deity. Above all, avoid deceit; false service invites destruction.
Dhaumya delivers counsel on how one should behave in relation to a king—warning against both over-familiarity and disrespect, and emphasizing that hypocritical or deceitful attendance at court ultimately leads to punishment.
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