Shloka 38
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिदष्टादशान्येषु स्वपक्षे दश पठच च । त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकै:
kaccid aṣṭādaśāny eṣu svapakṣe daśa pañca ca | tribhis tribhir avijñātair vetsi tīrthāni cārakaiḥ ||
那罗陀说道：“你是否以三人一组、无人识破的密探，监视并稽察敌方十八部之中的诸‘要津’（关键据点与关节），并同样守望己方十五处要地？”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s duty includes vigilant, discreet intelligence-gathering to protect the realm and prevent harm. The verse emphasizes structured verification (agents in groups of three) and awareness of key strategic nodes, balancing prudence with responsible governance.
Nārada is examining the king’s preparedness and administrative competence. He asks whether the king maintains covert surveillance over important points in both enemy territory and his own domain through unrecognized spies, ensuring reliable information and internal security.