Shloka 26
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
तथा रज्ञो हार्थयुक्तानमात्यान् दौवारिकान् ये च सेनां नयन्ति । आयदव्ययं ये गणयन्ति नित्य- मर्थाश्न ये महतश्षिन्तयन्ति
tathā rājño hārthayuktān amātyān dauvārikān ye ca senāṃ nayanti | āyadavyayaṃ ye gaṇayanti nityam arthāś ca ye mahataś cintayanti ||
तथा राज्ञो हितयुक्तानमात्यान् दौवारिकान् ये च सेनां नयन्ति, आयव्ययं ये गणयन्ति नित्यं, अर्थांश्च ये महतः चिन्तयन्ति—तेषामपि कुशलं पृच्छ।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes attentive care for the officials who sustain the kingdom—ministers, guards, commanders, and accountants. Their welfare and conscientious performance are essential for just governance and the orderly pursuit of artha without violating dharma.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy context, Yudhiṣṭhira outlines proper royal conduct and protocol: one should inquire about the well-being of key functionaries responsible for security, military leadership, and financial administration, emphasizing the practical foundations of a stable polity.