Shloka 3
Kośa, Bala, and Maryādā: Treasury, Capacity, and Enforceable Limits (कोश-बल-मर्यादा)
दुष्ट मन््त्री ही जिसका सहायक हो, इसीलिये जो श्रेष्ठ परामर्शसे भ्रष्ट हो गया हो एवं राज्यसे जिसके भ्रष्ट हो जानेकी सम्भावना हो और जिसे अपनी उन्नतिका कोई श्रेष्ठ उपाय न दिखायी देता हो, उसके लिये क्या कर्तव्य है? ।।
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | duṣṭamantrī hi yasya sahāyakaḥ, tasmāt yaḥ śreṣṭha-parāmarśena bhraṣṭo bhavet, rājya-bhraṃśasya ca yasya sambhāvanā, svasyonnateś ca śreṣṭham upāyaṃ na paśyati—tasya kiṃ kartavyam? || paracakrābhiyātasya pararāṣṭrāṇi mṛdnataḥ | vigrahe vartamānasya durbalasya balīyasā—tasya kim āśrayaḥ? ||
玉提士提罗说道：“若一位国王受恶谋臣扶持，因此背离良策——以致亡国在即，且看不见任何高贵的自振之道——他当如何行事？又如：一位君主已出师攻敌，践踏敌国疆土，然而在征伐途中又遭更强之王来袭——那已陷于战事的弱王，还有何处可依？”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rājadharma problem: a ruler’s strength depends on right counsel and prudent strategy. When misled by corrupt ministers and threatened with political collapse—especially amid multi-front war—the king must seek a sound refuge (āśraya) through wise policy: correcting counsel, securing alliances or protection, and choosing actions that preserve the realm and dharma rather than reckless expansion.
In Śānti Parva’s discourse on governance, Yudhiṣṭhira poses a practical question about a king in distress: first, a ruler ruined by bad advisers and facing possible loss of the kingdom; second, a weaker king campaigning against an enemy who is suddenly attacked by a stronger power. He asks what such a king should do and where he can find support.