Shloka 20
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
भृत्यान् भोगैर्द्धिषो दण्डैयों योजयति सो<र्थवान् | एतन्मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ मत॑ं मम यथातथम् | अनयोस्तु निबोध त्वं वचनं वाक्यकण्ठयो:
Arjuna uvāca |
Bhṛtyān bhogair dhiṣo daṇḍaiś ca yojayati so 'rthavān |
Etan matimatāṃ śreṣṭha mataṃ mama yathātatham |
Anayos tu nibodha tvaṃ vacanaṃ vākyakaṇṭhayoḥ ||
Arjuna disse: “Verdadeiramente próspero é aquele que mantém seus dependentes devotados por meio de gozos dignos e refreia seus inimigos por meio do castigo, mantendo-os sob controle. Ó melhor entre os sábios, esta é a opinião que me parece correta, tal como é. Agora ouve as palavras destes dois—em ambos a fala já subiu à garganta, isto é, estão ansiosos e insistentes para falar.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity and effective rule (artha) require a balanced policy: supporting one’s dependents with appropriate comforts and incentives, while restraining hostile forces through just punishment—both welfare and discipline are necessary instruments of governance.
Arjuna states his view on what constitutes true prosperity and effective control in rulership, then urges the listener to hear the impending statements of “these two,” who are portrayed as eager to speak (their words ‘at the throat’).