Shloka 39
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
यमाश्रित्य नरा राजन वर्तयेयुर्यथासुखम् । अनाथास्तप्यमानाश्व दस्युभि: परिपीडिता:
yam āśritya narā rājan vartayeyur yathāsukham | anāthās tapyamānāś ca dasyubhiḥ paripīḍitāḥ ||
Bhishma sprach: „O König, die Menschen sollen in Ruhe leben können, indem sie bei dem Zuflucht nehmen, der Schutz gewährt. Die Haltlosen, die leiden und von Räubern bedrängt werden, sollen einen solchen Beschützer wie einen Verwandten ansehen und ihn mit freudigem Respekt ehren. Denn, o Bester der Kurus, wer ohne Furcht immer wieder die Gefahren anderer abwendet, ist wahrhaft königlicher Ehre würdig.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or any protector) is worthy of honor when he fearlessly and repeatedly removes the dangers of others; the helpless should be able to take refuge in such a person and live securely.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma addresses the king and explains the standard of true royal worth: providing dependable refuge and protection, especially for those oppressed by criminals.