Shloka 47

Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ

Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics

Devanagari script

कच्चिद्धष्टश्न श्रश्व मतिमान्‌ धृतिमाञछुचि: । कुलीनश्चानुरक्तश्व दक्ष: सेनापतिस्तथा

Transliteration

kaccid dhṛṣṭaś ca śūraś ca matimān dhṛtimāñ śuciḥ | kulīnaś cānuraktaś ca dakṣaḥ senāpatis tathā ||

Translation

那罗陀问道：“你的统军大将是否胆识过人、英勇无畏——聪慧、坚忍，行止清净；出身高贵，忠于君主，并且精于统御之职？”

Word by Word

• कच्चित्: whether?, I hope
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कच्चित्

• हृष्टः: joyful, delighted
• हृष्टः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अश्वः: horse
• अश्वः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मतिमान्: intelligent
• मतिमान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मतिमत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धृतिमान्: steadfast, patient
• धृतिमान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृतिमत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• शुचिः: pure, clean
• शुचिः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कुलीनः: of noble family
• कुलीनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुलीन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अनुरक्तः: devoted, attached
• अनुरक्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुरक्त
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• दक्षः: skilful, competent
• दक्षः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सेनापतिः: commander of the army
• सेनापतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेनापति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तथा: thus, also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• senāpati (army commander)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Effective command is not only bravery but a dharmic blend of courage, intelligence, steadiness, purity of conduct, noble character, loyalty to the rightful authority, and practical competence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada is examining the state of a ruler’s administration and security by asking whether the army commander possesses the virtues required to protect the kingdom and uphold order.