Shloka 19

मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship

Devanagari script

ज्ञातिबन्धुजनावेक्षी मित्रसम्बन्धिसंवृत: । पौरकार्यहितान्वेषी भव कौरवनन्दन,कौरवनन्दन! तुम जातिभाइयोंपर ख्याल रखो, मित्रों और सम्बन्धियोंसे घिरे रहो तथा पुरवासियोंके कार्य और हितकी सिद्धिका उपाय ढूँढ़ा करो

Transliteration

jñātibandhujanāvekṣī mitrasambandhisaṁvṛtaḥ | paurakāryahitānveṣī bhava kauravanandana ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “O delight of the Kuru line, be one who looks after kinsmen, relatives, and dependents; remain supported by friends and relations; and continually seek the means to accomplish the tasks and welfare of the townspeople.”

Word by Word

• ज्ञाति-बन्धु-जन-अवेक्षी: one who looks after kinsmen, relatives, and people
• ज्ञाति-बन्धु-जन-अवेक्षी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञाति + बन्धु + जन + अवेक्षिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मित्र-सम्बन्धि-संवृतः: surrounded by friends and relations
• मित्र-सम्बन्धि-संवृतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मित्र + सम्बन्धिन् + संवृत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पौर-कार्य-हित-अन्वेषी: one who seeks the works and welfare of the citizens
• पौर-कार्य-हित-अन्वेषी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पौर + कार्य + हित + अन्वेषिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भव: be (become)
• भव: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: Imperative (Lot), Second, Singular

• कौरव-नन्दन: O delight of the Kauravas
• कौरव-नन्दन: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौरव + नन्दन
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Kauravanandana (a Kuru prince, typically Yudhishthira in Shanti Parva context)
• Paurāḥ (townspeople/citizens)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler’s dharma is relational and civic: protect and care for one’s kin and dependents, maintain strong alliances with friends and relations, and actively pursue policies that accomplish public works and secure the welfare of the citizens.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs the Kuru king on rajadharma. Here he gives practical counsel on governance: sustaining social bonds and focusing administrative effort on the needs, duties, and well-being of the townspeople.