Shloka 53
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
विशालान् राजमार्गाश्न कारयीत नराधिप: । प्रपाश्न विपणांश्नैव यथोद्देशं समाविशेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | viśālān rājamārgān kārayīta narādhipaḥ | prapāś ca vipanāś caiva yathoddeśaṃ samāviśet |
Bhishma said: “O king, you should have broad royal highways constructed. And, according to the needs of each locality, you should also establish public water-stations and marketplaces—so that people’s travel, trade, and daily welfare are properly supported.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes practical public welfare: building wide main roads and ensuring essential civic amenities—water facilities and markets—tailored to local needs, so that society functions smoothly and justly.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises the ruler on concrete administrative duties, emphasizing infrastructure and provisioning as part of ethical kingship.