Shloka 23
पात्रलक्षण-परिक्षा (Pātra-Lakṣaṇa Parīkṣā) — Criteria for a Worthy Recipient
महारथश्न राजन्य एष्टव्य: शत्रुतापन: । इति मां नारद: प्राह सततं सर्वभूतये
mahārathaś ca rājan ya eṣṭavyaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ | iti māṃ nāradaḥ prāha satataṃ sarvabhūtaye ||
वायुरुवाच—महारथश्च राजन्य एष्टव्यः शत्रुतापनः। इति मां नारदः प्राह सततं सर्वभूतये॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
For the stability and welfare of society, a king should value and seek the rise of a truly capable Kṣatriya—one strong enough to restrain aggressors and protect the people; such strength is framed as serving ‘the prosperity of all beings’ rather than mere personal ambition.
Vāyu reports a repeated instruction he received from the sage Nārada: addressing a king, he conveys that praying for or fostering the emergence of a ‘mahāratha’ Kṣatriya—an enemy-subduing protector—is beneficial for universal welfare.