Shloka 4
Purohita-Niyoga and the Brahma–Kṣatra Concord
Aila–Kaśyapa Saṃvāda
परस्परस्य सुहृदौ विहितौ समचेतसौ । ब्रह्मक्षत्रस्य सम्मानात् प्रजा सुखमवाप्नुयात्,यदि राजा और पुरोहित धर्मनिष्ठ, श्रद्धेय तथा तपस्वी हों, एक-दूसरेके प्रति सौहार्द रखते हों और समान ह्ृदयवाले हों तो वे दोनों मिलकर प्रजाकी वृद्धि करते हैं तथा सम्पूर्ण देवताओं एवं पितरोंको तृप्त करके पुत्र और प्रजावर्गको भी अभ्युदयशील बनाते हैं। ऐसे ब्राह्मण (पुरोहित) और क्षत्रिय (राजा) का सम्मान करनेसे प्रजाको सुखकी प्राप्ति होती है
parasparasya suhṛdau vihitau samacetasau | brahmakṣatrasya sammānāt prajā sukham avāpnuyāt ||
Bhīṣma said: When the king and the royal priest are established as mutual well-wishers, sharing a balanced and like-minded disposition, then by honoring the alliance of Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya the people attain happiness. In such concord, the ruler and priest together foster the growth and welfare of the subjects, uphold dharma through disciplined conduct, and secure prosperity for the community.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Public welfare depends on the harmonious partnership of spiritual authority (Brāhmaṇa/purohita) and political authority (Kṣatriya/king). When both are virtuous, mutually friendly, and aligned in purpose, their cooperation sustains dharma and brings happiness to the people.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous governance. Here he emphasizes that the king’s rule becomes beneficial when guided by a respected, like-minded priestly counsel, and that honoring this Brāhmaṇa–Kṣatriya concord results in the subjects’ prosperity.