Shloka 20
अध्याय ९ — धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति राजनित्युपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Royal Policy to Yudhiṣṭhira
भवद॒द्वीक्षणाच्चैव पाण्डुना पृथिवीक्षिता । तथा दुर्योधनेनापि राज्ञा सुपरिपालिता:
bhavad-advīkṣaṇāc caiva pāṇḍunā pṛthivīkṣitā | tathā duryodhanenāpi rājñā suparipālitāḥ ||
உங்கள் விழிப்பான கண்காணிப்பினாலேயே பூமியின் அரசன் பாண்டு பூமியைப் பாதுகாத்தான்; அதுபோல அரசன் துரியோதனனும் எங்களை நன்றாகக் காத்தான்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy is expressed through vigilant oversight and the protection of the realm and its people. Good governance is measured by safeguarding subjects and maintaining order.
Vaiśampāyana reports a reflection comparing earlier rulers: just as Pāṇḍu ruled under the addressee’s supervision, Duryodhana too is said to have maintained and protected the people properly—an evaluative remark about kingship and public welfare.