Shloka 64
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
राज्ञा सप्तैव रक्ष्याणि तानि चैव निबोध मे । आत्मामात्याश्न कोशाशक्ष दण्डो मित्राणि चैव हि
rājñā saptaiva rakṣyāṇi tāni caiva nibodha me | ātmāmātyāś ca kośaś ca daṇḍo mitrāṇi caiva hi, kurunandana ||
Bhīṣma said: “A king must safeguard seven things—listen to them from me, O joy of the Kurus. They are: his own person, his ministers, the treasury, the rod of punishment (the coercive power/army), and his allies (friends).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes vigilant protection of the essential supports of sovereignty—starting with personal integrity and security, competent ministers, sound finances, effective enforcement/punitive power, and reliable alliances—so that order and welfare can be sustained.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and begins listing the key elements a king must guard as part of rajadharma, framing governance as a disciplined, ethical responsibility.