Shloka 79
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिन्न भक्त बीजं च कर्षकस्यावसीदति । प्रत्येक च शतं वृद्धया ददास्यृणमनुग्रहम्
kaccin na bhakta-bījaṃ ca karṣakasyāvasīdati | pratyekaṃ ca śataṃ vṛddhyā dadāsi ṛṇam anugraham ||
Нарада спросил царя: «Сберегаются ли у земледельца его хлебное зерно и семя от всякой утраты? И по царскому милосердию даёшь ли ты каждому пахарю заём на справедливых условиях, дабы земледелие держалось, а не погибало под гнётом разорительных долгов?»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes safeguarding agriculture—ensuring farmers do not lose seed or sustenance and are not crushed by debt. Royal policy should be compassionate and just, supporting productive livelihoods rather than enabling exploitative lending.
Narada is testing and advising the king through pointed questions about administration. By asking about farmers’ seed/grain and the terms of loans, he evaluates whether the kingdom is governed with practical compassion and economic fairness.