Shloka 26
एकान्तिधर्म-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into Ekāntin Dharma) / The Origin and Practice of Single-Pointed Nārāyaṇa-Centered Discipline
तस्य प्रशासतो राज्यं धर्मेणामित्रघातिन: । नानृता वाक् समभवन्मनो दुष्ट न चाभवत्
tasya praśāsato rājyaṃ dharmeṇāmitraghātinaḥ | nānṛtā vāk samabhavan mano duṣṭa na cābhavat ||
While that enemy-slayer governed his kingdom in accordance with dharma, no falsehood ever arose in his speech, and his mind, too, did not become corrupt. Thus his rule was marked by righteous administration, truthful words, and inner purity.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and excellence rest on dharmic governance joined to personal integrity: truth in speech and purity of mind. Outer administration (rājya) must be supported by inner discipline (manaḥ) and moral restraint (not speaking anṛta).
Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, praises an exemplary king/hero described as an ‘enemy-slayer.’ He highlights the qualities of that ruler’s reign: it was conducted according to dharma, free from false speech, and untainted by a corrupted mind.