Shloka 72
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
कृत्वा सर्वाणि कार्याणि सम्यक् सम्पाल्य मेदिनीम् | पालयित्वा तथा पौरान् परत्र सुखमेधते
kṛtvā sarvāṇi kāryāṇi samyak sampālya medinīm | pālayitvā tathā paurān paratra sukham edhate ||
Bhīṣma said: “Having duly accomplished all the duties of kingship—governing the earth well and protecting the townsmen and the people of the realm—a king prospers in happiness in the world to come.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is to complete necessary duties and govern responsibly—protecting the land and the people; such righteous kingship yields spiritual merit and happiness in the hereafter.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (the duties of kings). Here he emphasizes that proper administration and protection of citizens lead to posthumous well-being.