Shloka 13
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
आत्मवांश्व जितक्रोध: शास्त्रार्थकृतनि श्चय: । धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च सततं रत:,जिसने अपने मनको वशमें कर लिया है, क्रोधको जीत लिया है तथा शास््त्रोंके सिद्धान्तका निश्चयात्मक ज्ञान प्राप्त कर लिया है, जो धर्म, अर्थ, काम और मोक्षके प्रयत्नमें निरन्तर लगा रहता है, जिसे तीनों वेदोंका ज्ञान है तथा जो अपने गुप्त विचारोंको दूसरोंपर प्रकट नहीं होने देता है, वही राजा होने योग्य है, प्रजाकी रक्षा न करनेसे बढ़कर राजाओंके लिये दूसरा कोई पाप नहीं है
bhīṣma uvāca | ātmavāñ jita-krodhaḥ śāstrārtha-kṛta-niścayaḥ | dharme cārthe ca kāme ca mokṣe ca satataṃ rataḥ |
Bhishma said: “He alone is fit to be king who has mastered himself, conquered anger, and arrived at firm, reasoned certainty regarding the meaning of the scriptures; who remains continually engaged in the proper pursuit of dharma, material prosperity, rightful pleasure, and liberation. Such a ruler should be learned in the Vedas and restrained in speech, not exposing private counsels. For kings, there is no sin greater than failing to protect their subjects.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy rests on inner discipline and ethical competence: mastery over self and anger, clear understanding of śāstra, steady commitment to the four aims of life, and guarded counsel. Above all, the king’s paramount duty is protection of the people; neglecting it is the gravest royal sin.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhishma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, describing the qualifications of a king and emphasizing that the central responsibility of sovereignty is safeguarding the subjects; failure in protection is condemned as the greatest fault.