Shloka 27
राजधर्मः—राष्ट्ररक्षणं, दण्डनीतिः, हयग्रीवोपाख्यानम्
Royal Duty: Protection, Penal Policy, and the Hayagrīva Exemplum
ईषदप्यड् दाराणां पुत्राणां वा चराप्रियम् । ततो ज्ञास्यसि क: कस्य केन वा कथमेव च
īṣad apy aḍdārāṇāṁ putrāṇāṁ vā carāpriyam | tato jñāsyasi kaḥ kasya kena vā katham eva ca ||
Wika ni Vyāsa: “Kahit sa paggawa lamang ng bahagyang di-kanais-nais sa iyong asawa (o mga asawa) o sa iyong mga anak na lalaki, mauunawaan mo kung sino ang tunay na nakaugnay kanino—sa pamamagitan ng sino, at sa anong paraan.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vyāsa points out that attachment and loyalty within the household can be tested by even a small act that displeases one’s spouse or children; such moments reveal the true nature of dependence, allegiance, and the dynamics of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’—who stands with whom, and why.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa addresses the listener with a practical observation about family life: by a minor act that goes against the immediate wishes of close relatives, one can discern their real dispositions and the underlying structure of relationships.