Shloka 32
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
आरब्धान्येव कार्याणि सुपर्यवसितानि च । यस्य सज्ञः प्रदृश्यन्ति स राजा राजसत्तम:
ārabdhāny eva kāryāṇi suparyavasitāni ca | yasya saṃjñāḥ pradṛśyante sa rājā rājasattamaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: He is the best of kings in whom one clearly sees both the undertaking of necessary works and their excellent completion—whose conduct shows resolve at the start and steadiness through to the end.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s excellence is recognized by two visible traits: initiating rightful duties without delay and completing them well. Effective kingship requires both resolve to begin and perseverance to finish.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is describing the observable marks of an exemplary king, emphasizing practical governance—undertaking necessary works and bringing them to successful completion.