राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
चारश्न प्रणिधिश्वैव काले दानममत्सरात् । युकत्यादानं न चादानमयोगेन युधिष्ठिर
cārān praṇidhiś caiva kāle dānam amatsarāt | yuktyādānaṃ na cādānam ayogena yudhiṣṭhira ||
قال بيشما: «يا يودهشثيرا، أقم العيون (الجواسيس) وابعث الرسل؛ وأعطِ العطايا في أوانها من غير حسد. واجبِ الخراج بعقلٍ راجح وبالطريقة السليمة، ولا تغتصب أموال الرعية بوسائل غير لائقة أو جائرة.»
भीष्म उवाच
A king protects the realm through disciplined intelligence (spies and envoys), timely generosity free from envy, and just revenue collection—taking only what is due by proper means, never by coercion or wrongful seizure.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma continues advising King Yudhiṣṭhira on practical duties of rule—security, diplomacy, and fiscal ethics—framing them as components of righteous governance (rājadharma).