Shloka 34
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
सतत निग्रहे युक्त इन्द्रियाणां भवेन्नूप: । ईप्सन्नर्थ च धर्म च द्विषतां च पराभवम्,“अतः: अर्थ, धर्म तथा शत्रुओंका पराभव चाहनेवाले राजाको सदा अपनी इन्द्रियोंको काबूमें रखनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये
satataṁ nigrahe yukta indriyāṇāṁ bhaven nṛpaḥ | īpsann arthaṁ ca dharmaṁ ca dviṣatāṁ ca parābhavam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana nói: “Bậc quân vương phải luôn chuyên tâm vào việc chế ngự các căn của mình. Với người cầu thịnh vượng và chính pháp—lại còn mong kẻ thù bại trận—thì tự chế không ngừng chính là kỷ luật thích đáng.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: a ruler who aims at artha (effective governance and prosperity), dharma (righteous conduct), and victory over adversaries must first master indriya-nigraha—steady restraint of the senses—because unruled desire and anger undermine judgment and policy.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within the Udyoga Parva’s counsel on conduct and policy, a general principle is stated for kings: continual self-discipline is presented as the foundation for ethical rule and successful political outcomes, including dealing with enemies.