Shloka 30
यस्य सम विषये राज्ञ: स्नातक: सीदति क्षुधा । अवृद्धिमेति तद्राष्ट्र विच्दते सहराजकम्,जिस राजाके राज्यमें स्नातक ब्राह्मण भूखसे कष्ट पाता है, उसके राज्यकी उन्नति रुक जाती है; साथ ही वह राज्य शत्रु राजाओंके हाथमें चला जाता है
yasya sama-viṣaye rājñaḥ snātakaḥ sīdati kṣudhā | avṛddhim eti tad-rāṣṭraṃ vicchidyate sa-rājakam ||
Bhishma said: “In the realm of that king under whose equal and impartial jurisdiction a snātaka Brahmin languishes from hunger, the kingdom’s prosperity comes to a halt; indeed, that state—together with its ruler—falls apart and passes into the hands of hostile kings.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and prosperity depend on upholding dharma through care of the deserving—especially learned, disciplined Brahmins (snātakas). If such a person suffers hunger within the king’s domain, it signals systemic unrighteousness; the result is stagnation, fragmentation, and eventual loss of the kingdom to enemies.
Bhishma is instructing on rajadharma (the duties of kings) in the Anushasana Parva. He warns that neglecting the welfare of a snātaka Brahmin—allowing him to be afflicted by hunger—brings political and material consequences: the state’s growth stops and the realm collapses along with its ruler.