Shloka 19
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
राज्ञो रहस्यं यद् वाक््यं जयार्थ लोकसंग्रह: । ह्दि यच्चास्य जिह्दूं स््थात् कारणेन च यद् भवेत्
rājño rahasyaṁ yad vākyaṁ jayārthaṁ lokasaṅgrahaḥ | hṛdi yac cāsya jihvūṁ sthāt kāraṇena ca yad bhavet ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Zum Rat eines Königs gehört, was geheim zu halten ist, was um des Sieges willen und zur Zusammenhaltung des Volkes zu sagen ist, und auch, was im Herzen bewacht bleiben soll, statt von der Zunge losgelassen zu werden—samt den Gründen und Umständen, die jeden Weg angemessen machen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that royal speech is a moral instrument: a king must discern what to disclose and what to keep confidential, speaking when it serves victory and the cohesion of society, and restraining speech when silence better protects the realm—always guided by sound reasons and circumstances.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on governance. Here he outlines principles of counsel and communication: secrecy, purposeful speech for success and public order, and disciplined restraint of the tongue.