Shloka 19
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
वधबन्धपरिकलेशो नित्यमर्थवतां भवेत् । ममत्वं च न विन्देयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत्,यदि राजा रक्षा न करे तो धनवानोंको प्रतिदिन वध या बन्धनका क्लेश उठाना पड़े और किसी भी वस्तुको वे अपनी न कह सकें
vadhabandhaparikleśo nityam arthavatāṃ bhavet | mamatvaṃ ca na vindeyur yadi rājā na pālayet ||
Vasumanā said: “If the king does not govern and protect, those who possess wealth would daily suffer the torment of being slain or bound; and they would not be able to claim true ownership of anything. Thus, royal protection is the condition that makes security, property, and orderly life possible.”
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the king’s primary dharma is protection: without effective rule, even the wealthy face constant violence and coercion, and stable ownership or social trust cannot exist.
In the Shanti Parva’s discussion of rājadharma, Vasumanā argues for the necessity of kingship by describing the chaos that would prevail without a ruler who protects and maintains order.