Shloka 23
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
संगृहीतमनुष्यश्न यो राजा राजधर्मवित् । षड्वर्ग प्रतिगृह्लाति स धर्मफलमश्लुते,जो राजा राजधर्मको जानता और अपने यहाँ अच्छे लोगोंको जुटाकर रखता है तथा अवसरके अनुसार संधि, विग्रह, यान, आसन, द्वैधीभाव एवं समाश्रय नामक छ: गुणोंका उपयोग करता है, वह धर्मके फलका भागी होता है
saṅgṛhītamanuṣyaś ca yo rājā rājadharmavit | ṣaḍvargaṃ pratigṛhṇāti sa dharmaphalam aśnute ||
Bhishma said: The king who understands the duties of kingship, who keeps worthy people gathered and supported in his service, and who, as circumstances require, employs the six measures of statecraft—making peace, waging war, marching forth, remaining stationed, pursuing a double policy, and seeking shelter or alliance—such a ruler partakes of the fruits of dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler earns the fruits of dharma by combining ethical kingship with practical wisdom: supporting capable and good people, and applying the six strategic measures (peace, war, march, staying, double policy, and alliance/shelter) appropriately to protect the realm.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma continues advising on ideal governance, stating that a king who maintains a strong circle of worthy persons and uses the recognized tools of diplomacy and strategy according to time and circumstance is truly righteous and gains dharmic merit.