Shloka 1
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
2: छा आर: अशीतितमोब<्ध्याय: राजाके लिये मित्र और अमित्रकी पहचान तथा उन सबके साथ नीतिपूर्ण बर्तावका और मन्त्रीके लक्षणोंका वर्णन युधिछिर उवाच यदप्यल्पतरं कर्म तदप्येकेन दुष्करम् । पुरुषेणासहायेन किमु राज्ञा पितामह
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | yad apy alpataram karma tad apy ekena duṣkaram | puruṣeṇāsahāyena kimu rājñā pitāmaha ||
युधिष्ठिर उवाच— यदप्यल्पतरं कर्म तदप्येकेन दुष्करम् । पुरुषेणासहायेन किमु राज्ञा पितामह ॥ पितामह! अल्पमपि कर्म सहायवर्जितेन पुरुषेण कर्तुं दुष्करं भवति; तर्हि महद्राज्यं कथं राजा परसहायवर्जितः सुशासितुं शक्नुयात्?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective rule depends on capable assistance: even minor duties are difficult alone, so a king must rely on well-chosen helpers—especially ministers and trusted officers—guided by dharma and prudent policy.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on royal duty, Yudhiṣṭhira questions Bhīṣma about practical kingship: since solitary effort fails even in small matters, how can a ruler administer a great realm without allies and advisers? This sets up discussion on identifying friends and foes and the qualities of ministers.