Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिद् विद्याविनीतांश्व नराउज्ञानविशारदान् | यथाहँ गुणतश्वैव दानेनाभ्युपपद्यसे,क्या तुम विद्यासे विनयशील एवं ज्ञाननिपुण मनुष्योंको उनके गुणोंके अनुसार यथायोग्य धन आदि देकर उनका सम्मान करते हो?
kaccid vidyā-vinītāṁś ca narān jñāna-viśāradān | yathārhaṁ guṇataś caiva dānenābhyupapadyase ||
Нарада сказал: «Почитаешь ли ты должным образом людей образованных и дисциплинированных, сведущих в знании — обращаясь с ними по их заслугам и достоинству и поддерживая их надлежащими дарами и покровительством?»
नारद उवाच
A ruler’s dharma includes recognizing true merit: honoring the learned and well-disciplined, and supporting them with fitting gifts. Respect is not merely verbal; it is shown through appropriate patronage aligned with a person’s qualities.
Nārada is conducting a probing inquiry into proper royal conduct. By asking whether the king honors qualified, learned people according to their merit and supports them through gifts, he tests the king’s adherence to dharma and sound governance.