Shloka 1
Rājapurohita-lakṣaṇa and Purūravas–Vāyu Saṃvāda
Varṇa, Sovereignty, and Abhaya-dāna
ऑपन--माजल छा सं: द्विसप्ततितमो< ध्याय: राजाके लिये सदाचारी विद्वान पुरोहितकी आवश्यकता तथा प्रजापालनका महत्त्व भीष्म उवाच य एव तु सतो रक्षेदसतश्न निवर्तयेत् स एव राज्ञ: कर्तव्यो राजन् राजपुरोहित:,भीष्मजीने कहा--राजन्! राजाको चाहिये कि वह एक ऐसे विद्वान ब्राह्यणको अपना पुरोहित बनावे, जो उसके सत्कर्मोंकी रक्षा करे और उसे असत् कर्मसे दूर रखे (तथा जो उसके शुभकी रक्षा और अशुभका निवारण करे)
bhīṣma uvāca | ya eva tu sato rakṣed asataś ca nivartayet sa eva rājñaḥ kartavyo rājan rājapurohitaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “O King, the ruler should appoint as royal priest that learned Brahmin who safeguards him in righteous conduct and restrains him from unrighteous acts—one who protects the king’s good and prevents his harm.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should appoint as his royal priest a learned guide who protects him in righteous action and restrains him from unrighteousness; moral oversight at the top is essential for good governance.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma addresses the king and begins outlining the qualifications and necessity of a royal priest who can counsel, correct, and keep the ruler aligned with dharma.