Shloka 8
Adhyāya 96: Nārada Guides Mātali in Varuṇa’s Realm
Varuṇa-loka Darśana
स भवान् धर्मपुत्रेण शमं कर्तुमिहाहति । पाण्डवा: कुरवश्चैव पालयन्तु वसुंधराम्
sa bhavān dharmaputreṇa śamaṃ kartum ihāhati | pāṇḍavāḥ kuravaś caiva pālayantu vasuṃdharām, rājan |
اے راجن! دھرم پُتر یُدھشٹھِر کے ساتھ یہاں صلح کر لینا آپ ہی کے شایانِ شان ہے۔ میری خواہش ہے کہ پانڈو اور کورو—دونوں مل کر—اس زمین کی نگہبانی اور حکمرانی کریں۔
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds rājanīti grounded in dharma: a king should prefer reconciliation over conflict, and ensure the welfare of the realm by enabling even rival kinsmen to share responsibility for protecting the earth.
Kaṇva addresses the king (in context, a Kuru ruler) and urges him to conclude a peace with Yudhiṣṭhira, proposing that both Pāṇḍavas and Kurus jointly govern and safeguard the kingdom rather than proceed toward destructive war.