Shloka 33
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
संविभज्य यदा भुड्क्ते नृपतिर्दुर्बलान् नरान् । तदा भवन्ति बलिन: स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते
saṁvibhajya yadā bhuṅkte nṛpatir durbalān narān | tadā bhavanti balinaḥ sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
রাজা যখন দুর্বল লোকদের প্রয়োজনমতো অন্ন-বস্ত্রাদি দিয়ে তারপর নিজে আহার করে, তখন সেই দুর্বলরাই বলবান হয়ে ওঠে। এই সংযম ও দানই রাজধর্ম বলে ঘোষিত।
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is to prioritize the welfare of the weak: by distributing resources to them first and restraining his own consumption, he strengthens society and fulfills righteous kingship.
In a discourse on righteous governance in the Śānti Parva, the sage Utatthya defines an ideal royal practice: the king should first provide necessities to vulnerable subjects and only afterward eat himself; this act of giving is praised as true royal duty.