Shloka 7
Kṣātra-Dharma, Daṇḍanīti, and Social Order
Indra–Māndhātṛ Dialogue
राजधर्मेष्वनुमता लोका: सुचरितै: सह । उदाद्वतं ते राजेन्द्र यथा विष्णुं महौजसम्
bhīṣma uvāca | rājadharmeṣv anumātā lokāḥ sucaritaiḥ saha | udāhṛtaṃ te rājendra yathā viṣṇuṃ mahaujasam ||
Bhishma said: “O king, all the worlds—together with their noble conduct—are understood to be encompassed within the duties of kingship. I have already explained this to you, O Rajendra, just as I once related the account concerning mighty Vishnu. In former times, many heroic rulers, seeking to obtain the science of governance and punishment, approached the all-pervading, supremely radiant Lord Narayana, the master of all beings, for refuge.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that rajadharma is comprehensive: the welfare and moral order of the worlds, along with virtuous conduct, are sustained through righteous kingship. Governance is therefore an ethical responsibility, not merely political power.
Bhishma reminds the king that he has already explained how all social order is included within rajadharma, and he introduces (or recalls) an illustrative ancient episode in which many warrior-kings sought instruction in statecraft (dandaniti) by taking refuge in the all-pervading Lord Narayana/Vishnu.