Shloka 58
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
आयुधानां च सर्वेषां शक््त्यूष्टिप्रासवर्मणाम् । संचयानेवमादीनां कारयीत नराधिप:
āyudhānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ śakty-ṛṣṭi-prāsa-varmaṇām | saṁcayān evam-ādīnāṁ kārayīta narādhipaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “In the same way, the king should have stocks prepared and maintained of every kind of weapon—such as the śakti (javelin), ṛṣṭi (spear), and prāsa (lance)—as well as armor and other necessary military supplies.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes practical governance: ensuring the realm’s security by arranging the manufacture and stockpiling of weapons, armor, and essential supplies, so protection and order are not left to chance.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises the king on administrative and military measures—specifically, maintaining ready stores of various weapons and protective equipment.