Shloka 9
Akṣa-hṛdaya-dāna and Phalāśruti of the Nalopākhyāna (अक्षहृदयदानम् / नलोपाख्यान-फलश्रुतिः)
वंशभोज्यमिदं राज्यमर्थितव्यं यथा तथा । येन केनाप्युपायेन वृद्धानामिति शासनम्,“यह राज्य हमारी वंशपरम्पराके उपभोगमें आनेवाला है। जिस-किसी उपायसे भी जैसे-तैसे इसका उद्धार करना चाहिये; ऐसा वृद्ध पुरुषोंका उपदेश है
Bṛhad-aśva uvāca: vaṃśa-bhojyam idaṃ rājyam arthitavyaṃ yathā tathā | yena kenāpy upāyena vṛddhānām iti śāsanam ||
Bṛhadaśva nói: “Vương quốc này vốn là gia sản truyền đời của dòng tộc ta để thụ hưởng. Vì thế phải tìm cầu và giữ lấy—bằng bất cứ phương kế nào có thể. Đó là lời răn của bậc trưởng lão.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a political maxim attributed to elders: a dynasty should preserve and reclaim its rightful sovereignty by whatever practicable means. It highlights the tension between pragmatic statecraft and ethical restraint, framing kingship as a hereditary trust that must be protected.
Bṛhadaśva, speaking within the Vana Parva context, cites the counsel of senior authorities to justify determined efforts to secure a kingdom viewed as belonging to one’s lineage, emphasizing urgency and strategic flexibility in restoring or safeguarding rule.