Shloka 17
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
यस्य स्फीतो जनपद: सम्पन्न: प्रियराजक: । संतुष्टभृत्यसचिवो दृढमूल: स पार्थिव:
yasya sphīto janapadaḥ sampannaḥ priyarājakaḥ | santuṣṭabhṛtyasacivo dṛḍhamūlaḥ sa pārthivaḥ ||
Bhishma sprach: Als fest verwurzelt gilt jener König, dessen Reich gedeiht, reich an Mitteln ist und seinem geliebten Herrscher ergeben bleibt, und dessen Diener und Minister zufrieden sind. Zufriedene Verwaltung und wohlhabende Untertanen sind die Zeichen einer stabilen Königsherrschaft, die im Dharma gründet.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s stability rests on two pillars: the prosperity of the realm and the contentment of those who serve in governance. When subjects thrive and officials are satisfied, the rule is 'firm-rooted'—secure and aligned with rajadharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma. Here he describes the marks of a well-established ruler: a flourishing country, loyal subjects, and satisfied ministers and retainers.