Shloka 2
Yogakṣema, Purohita, and the Mucukunda–Vaiśravaṇa Dialogue (योगक्षेम–पुरोहित–मुचुकुन्दवैश्रवणसंवादः)
यत्रादृष्टं भयं ब्रह्म प्रजानां शमयत्युत । दृष्टं च राजा बाहुभ्यां तद् राज्यं सुखमेधते
yatrādṛṣṭaṃ bhayaṃ brahma prajānāṃ śamayaty uta | dṛṣṭaṃ ca rājā bāhubhyāṃ tad rājyaṃ sukham edhate ||
Bhishma sprach: Wo die unsichtbare Furcht—die Ehrfurcht vor brahmanischer Autorität und dem heiligen Gesetz des Dharma—die Menschen zügelt und befriedet, und wo zugleich die sichtbare Macht des Königs, getragen von der Stärke seiner Arme, bereitsteht, dort gedeiht das Reich in Glück.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A stable and happy kingdom requires two complementary restraints: an inner, unseen deterrent rooted in Brahmanical/Vedic dharma that calms the populace through conscience and reverence, and an outer, visible deterrent in the king’s strength that enforces order and protection. Either alone is incomplete; together they sustain welfare.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on statecraft and righteousness after the war, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira principles of rulership. Here he describes the conditions under which a realm flourishes: subjects are guided by dharma and also safeguarded by the king’s effective power.