Shloka 25
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
धर्माणामविरोधेन सर्वेषां प्रियमाचरेत् । ममायमिति राजा यः स पर्वत इवाचल:,राजाको चाहिये कि सबका प्रिय करे, किंतु धर्ममें बाधा न आने दे। प्रजागणको “यह मेरा ही प्रियगण है” ऐसा समझनेवाला राजा पर्वतके समान अविचल बना रहता है
dharmāṇām avirodhena sarveṣāṁ priyam ācaret | mamāyam iti rājā yaḥ sa parvata iva acalaḥ ||
Bhishma said: A king should act in ways that are pleasing to all, yet without coming into conflict with dharma. The king who regards his people with the feeling, “These are my own,” stands firm and unshakable like a mountain.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should win the goodwill of all through pleasing conduct, but never at the cost of dharma; ethical limits must govern popularity. Seeing the subjects as “my own” creates steadfast, responsible rule.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on the qualities of an ideal king: benevolence toward all, unwavering adherence to dharma, and a protective sense of ownership toward the people.