Shloka 24
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
एष ते राजधर्माणां लेश: समनुवर्णित: । भूयस्ते यत्र संदेहस्तद् ब्रूहि कुरुसत्तम,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! यह मैंने तुम्हारे सामने राजधर्मोंका लेशमात्र वर्णन किया है। अब तुम्हें जिस बातमें संदेह हो, वह पूछो
eṣa te rājadharmāṇāṁ leśaḥ samanuvarṇitaḥ | bhūyas te yatra saṁdehas tad brūhi kurusattama ||
Bhishma said: “Thus I have described to you only a small portion of the duties of kingship. Now, O best of the Kurus, wherever you still have doubt, speak it out and ask—so it may be clarified.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes that his exposition of royal duty is only partial and invites the listener to raise doubts openly, highlighting that dharma is best learned through careful questioning and clarification.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional dialogue, Bhishma pauses after outlining aspects of rājadharma and prompts Yudhishthira to ask further questions wherever uncertainty remains.