Shloka 17
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
द्विट्छिद्रदर्शी नृपतिर्नित्यमेव प्रशस्यते । त्रिवर्ग विदितार्थश्न युक्तचारोपधिश्व॒ यः:
dviṭ-chidra-darśī nṛpatir nityam eva praśasyate | trivarga-viditārthaś ca yukta-cāropadhiś ca yaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：君王若能恒常注视敌人的破绽与弱点，必为世人所称颂。同样，统治者若洞悉人生三求之旨——达摩（dharma）、阿尔塔（artha）与迦摩（kāma）——并维持一套井然有序的密探与反密探之网，以揭露敌方隐秘、瓦解其大臣谋划，亦当受赞誉。其伦理要义在于：审慎的治国之道，当以道德辨识为本，并以警觉的国政权谋为辅，使邦国得以周全守护而不致疏忽。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A good king deserves praise when he combines ethical understanding (knowledge of dharma, artha, and kāma) with practical vigilance—especially the ability to detect enemy weaknesses and to use organized intelligence measures to protect the kingdom.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira about qualities of effective rulership, highlighting reconnaissance, awareness of adversaries’ vulnerabilities, and the disciplined use of spies to uncover hostile plans and neutralize dangerous counsel.