Shloka 16
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
गुणवन्तो महोत्साहा धर्मज्ञा: साधवश्च ये । संदधीत नृपस्तैश्न राष्ट्र धर्मेण पालयन्
guṇavanto mahotsāhā dharmajñāḥ sādhavaś ca ye | sandadhīta nṛpas tais tu rāṣṭraṃ dharmeṇa pālayan ||
قال بهيشما: إنّ الملك الذي يحمي مملكته وفق الدارما ينبغي له أولًا أن يجمع حوله رجالًا ذوي فضيلة—عظام الهمة شديدي العزم، عارفين بالاستقامة، صالحين في السلوك—ثم، مستندًا إلى أمثال هؤلاء الأعوان، يُقيم أحلافًا مع الملوك الأقوياء.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength should rest on dharmic governance and the support of virtuous, capable advisers; with such a foundation, forming alliances with strong rulers becomes a legitimate and effective means to protect the realm.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he advises the king on practical policy: appoint and rely on upright, energetic, dharma-knowing men, and then pursue treaties/alliances with powerful kings to secure the kingdom.