Shloka 21
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
+ कच्चिद् राजगुणै: षड्भि: सप्तोपायांस्तथानघ । बलाबलं तथा सम्यक् चतुर्दश परीक्षसे,निष्पाप युधिष्ठिर! क्या तुम राजोचित छ:* गुणोंके द्वारा सात उपायोंकी, अपने और शत्रुके बलाबलकी तथा देशपाल, दुर्गपाल आदि चौदहः व्यक्तियोंकी भलीभाँति परख करते रहते हो?
kaccid rājaguṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ saptopāyāṁs tathānagha | balābalaṁ tathā samyak caturdaśa parīkṣase, niṣpāpa yudhiṣṭhira ||
Nārada nói: “Hỡi Yudhiṣṭhira vô tội! Ngài có luôn xét đoán cho đúng: sáu đức tính của bậc vương giả, bảy phương kế trị quốc, thực lực và chỗ yếu của cả mình lẫn kẻ thù, cùng mười bốn chức quan trọng—như người giữ nước, người giữ thành—hay không?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must unite moral character with practical governance: continually evaluate personal and enemy capabilities, apply recognized measures of policy, and scrutinize the competence and loyalty of key administrators. Ethical kingship includes disciplined oversight, not mere good intentions.
Nārada addresses Yudhiṣṭhira with a series of ‘kaccit’ questions, testing whether he is ruling according to rajadharma—maintaining royal virtues, using strategic measures wisely, and keeping vigilant administrative control through responsible officials.