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Shloka 72

Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ

Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics

कच्चिज्ज्ञातीन्‌ गुरून्‌ वृद्धान्‌ वणिज: शिल्पिन: श्रितान्‌ अभीक्षणमनुगृह्नासि धनधान्येन दुर्गतान्‌,तुम अपने आश्रित कुटुम्बके लोगों, गुरुजनों, बड़े-बूढ़ों, व्यापारियों, शिल्पियों तथा दीन-दुखियोंको धन-धान्य देकर उनपर सदा अनुग्रह करते रहते हो न?

kaccij jñātīn gurūn vṛddhān vaṇijaḥ śilpinaḥ śritān abhīkṣṇam anugṛhṇāsi dhanadhānyena durgatān?

نارد نے کہا—کیا تم اپنے زیرِسایہ رشتہ داروں، اساتذہ، بزرگوں، تاجروں، کاریگروں اور مصیبت زدہ محتاجوں پر مال و غلہ دے کر برابر مہربانی کرتے رہتے ہو؟

कच्चित्whether? (I hope)
कच्चित्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootकच्चित्
ज्ञातीन्kinsmen/relatives
ज्ञातीन्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञाति
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
गुरून्teachers/elders
गुरून्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootगुरु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
वृद्धान्aged/elderly (persons)
वृद्धान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootवृद्ध
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
वणिजःmerchants
वणिजः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवणिज्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
शिल्पिनःartisans/craftsmen
शिल्पिनः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशिल्पिन्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
श्रितान्those who have taken refuge (dependents)
श्रितान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootश्रित
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
अभीक्षणम्repeatedly/constantly
अभीक्षणम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअभीक्षणम्
अनुगृह्णासिyou favor/show kindness to
अनुगृह्णासि:
TypeVerb
Rootअनु-ग्रह्
FormPresent, Second, Singular, Parasmaipada
धनधान्येनwith wealth and grain
धनधान्येन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootधन-धान्य
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
दुर्गतान्those in distress/poor
दुर्गतान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदुर्गत
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural

नारद उवाच

N
Nārada
K
kinsmen (jñāti)
G
gurus/teachers (guru)
E
elders (vṛddha)
M
merchants (vaṇij)
A
artisans (śilpin)
D
dependents/refugees (śrita)
T
the distressed (durgata)
W
wealth (dhana)
G
grain/food stores (dhānya)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights rājadharma and gṛhastha-dharma: a leader or householder should regularly sustain those under their care—relatives, teachers, elders, and working communities—especially the distressed, through practical support like food and wealth.

Nārada, as a moral examiner, asks a probing question to assess whether the ruler is fulfilling obligations of protection and generosity toward dependents and vulnerable groups, using material aid as an expression of ongoing compassion and duty.