Shloka 34
धिक् तस्य जीवित राज्ञो राष्ट्र यस्यावसीदति । अवृत्त्यान्यमनुष्योडपि यो वैदेशिक इत्यपि,जिसके राज्यकी प्रजा तथा वहाँ आये हुए परदेशी मनुष्य भी जीविकाके बिना कष्ट पा रहे हों उस राजाके जीवनको धिक्कार है
dhik tasya jīvitaṁ rājño rāṣṭraṁ yasyāvasīdati | avṛttyānyamanuṣyo ’pi yo vaideśika ity api ||
Bhishma said: “Shame upon the life of that king whose realm falls into misery—when, for lack of livelihood, even ordinary people, and even foreigners who have come to his country, suffer distress. A ruler’s right to live is condemned if he cannot secure sustenance and stability for those under his protection.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy is measured by public welfare: if his realm declines and people (including visiting foreigners) suffer due to lack of livelihood, his very life is morally blameworthy. Rājadharma requires securing sustenance, stability, and protection for all within the kingdom.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the ethical duties of rulership. Here he condemns negligent governance, emphasizing that a ruler must ensure economic support and basic security for subjects and even outsiders who reside in the realm.