Shloka 39
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिद् द्विषामविदित: प्रतिपन्नश्न सर्वदा । नित्ययुक्तो रिपून् सर्वान् वीक्षसे रिपुसूदन,शत्रुसूदन! तुम शत्रुओंसे अज्ञात, सतत सावधान और नित्य प्रयत्नशील रहकर अपने सम्पूर्ण शत्रुओंकी गतिविधिपर दृष्टि रखते हो न?
kaccid dviṣām aviditaḥ pratipannaś ca sarvadā | nityayukto ripūn sarvān vīkṣase ripusūdana śatrusūdana ||
Nārada disse: “Ó matador de inimigos, ó destruidor de adversários—permaneces sempre vigilante, mantendo teus desígnios ocultos aos oponentes e, com disciplina constante e alerta contínuo, observas os movimentos de todos os teus inimigos?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must combine ethical discipline with practical vigilance: keep one’s intentions concealed from hostile forces, remain constantly prepared, and monitor adversaries’ activities to protect the realm and uphold rājadharma.
Nārada addresses the ruler with honorific epithets (“slayer of foes”) and asks a probing question about governance—whether he stays ever alert, keeps his plans undisclosed to enemies, and continually watches the movements of all opponents.