Shloka 21
अध्याय ९ — धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति राजनित्युपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Royal Policy to Yudhiṣṭhira
न स्वल्पमपि पुत्रस्ते व्यलीकं॑ कृतवान् नृप । पितरीव सुविदश्वस्तास्तस्मिन्नपि नराधिपे
na svalpam api putras te vyalīkaṃ kṛtavān nṛpa | pitarīva suvidaśvāstās tasminn api narādhipe ||
न स्वल्पमपि पुत्रस्ते व्यलीकं कृतवान् नृप । पितरीव सुविश्वस्तास्तस्मिन्नपि नराधिपे ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds ethical kingship and personal integrity: even minor deceit (vyalīka) erodes dharma, whereas unwavering truthfulness makes a ruler (or leader) worthy of filial trust—trusted like a father.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king and praises the king’s son, stating that he never practiced even slight deception; people felt secure and confident in him, trusting him as they would a fatherly protector.