Shloka 115
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु विषमा जायते मही । उज्जहार ततो वैन्य: शिलाजालान् समन्तत:
manvantareṣu sarveṣu viṣamā jāyate mahī | ujjahāra tato vainyaḥ śilājālān samantataḥ ||
সকলো মন্বন্তৰত পৃথিৱী বিষম হৈ উঠে। সেয়ে বৈন্য (ৰজা পৃথু) চাৰিওফালে বিস্তৃত শিলাজাল—পথ ৰোধ কৰা পাথুৰে বন্ধন—উপৰি পেলাই আঁতৰালে।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes maintaining the earth’s order and ensuring public welfare—removing obstacles and restoring stability so society can flourish.
Bhīṣma describes how, as ages pass, the land becomes rough and obstructed; King Pṛthu (Vainya) responds by clearing widespread rocky impediments, making the terrain fit for habitation and use.