Shloka 21
Yogakṣema, Purohita, and the Mucukunda–Vaiśravaṇa Dialogue (योगक्षेम–पुरोहित–मुचुकुन्दवैश्रवणसंवादः)
एवं यो धर्मविद् राजा ब्रद्मपूर्व प्रवर्तते । जयत्यविजितामुर्वी यशश्न महदश्लुते
evaṁ yo dharmavid rājā brahma-pūrvaṁ pravartate | jayaty avijitām urvīṁ yaśaś ca mahad aśnute ||
Bhishma said: A king who understands dharma and undertakes the work of governance only after first placing the Brahman—Brahmins and sacred counsel—at the forefront, seeking their guidance and support, conquers even an unconquered earth and attains great renown.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s power should be grounded in dharma: governance ought to begin with brahma—sacred learning, ethical counsel, and the guidance of the wise. When a king acts with such prior orientation, his victories are legitimate and his fame becomes enduring.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira about the foundations of successful rule. Here he states that a dharma-knowing king who first relies on Brahmin guidance and then undertakes statecraft gains conquest and great renown.