Shloka 36
Vāmadeva’s Rājadharma: Norm-Setting, Counsel, and the Prevention of Rāṣṭra-Vināśa (वामदेव-प्रोक्तं राजधर्मम्)
के वानुरक्ता: राजान: के भयात् समुपाश्रिता: । मध्यस्थदोषा: के चैषामिति नित्यं विचिन्तयेत्
ke vānuraktā rājānaḥ ke bhayāt samupāśritāḥ | madhyastha-doṣāḥ ke caiṣām iti nityaṃ vicintayet ||
瓦摩提婆说道：“君王当恒常省思：哪些诸王对我真心归附？哪些是因畏惧而来投靠？其间谁持中立或摇摆不定，谁又因其立场而成过失之方——更确切地说，这些国王之中，谁已成为我的仇敌？”
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must continually evaluate the true motives and positions of other kings—distinguishing genuine loyalty from fear-based dependence, identifying neutrals, and recognizing emerging enemies—so that governance remains prudent and ethically responsible.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Vāmadeva advises the king on practical vigilance in diplomacy: regularly scrutinizing surrounding rulers’ attitudes—friends, fear-driven dependents, neutrals, and foes.