Shloka 11
राजधर्मः—प्रजापालनं दानयज्ञश्च
Royal Duty—Protection of Subjects, Generosity, and Sacrificial Discipline
सर्ववर्णै: सदा रक्ष्यं ब्रह्म॒स्वं ब्राह्मणा यथा । न स्थेयं विषये तेन यो5पकुर्याद् द्विजातिषु
sarvavarṇaiḥ sadā rakṣyaṃ brahmasvaṃ brāhmaṇā yathā | na stheyaṃ viṣaye tena yo 'pakuryād dvijātiṣu ||
Bhīṣma said: The property dedicated to Brahmins (brahmasva) must always be protected by people of all social orders, just as Brahmins themselves protect it. A king should not allow within his realm anyone who harms the twice-born (dvija); such a person must not be permitted to remain in the kingdom.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches rājadharma: safeguarding brahmasva (Brahmin-endowed property) is a collective duty across all varṇas, and the king must enforce social-ethical order by not tolerating those who harm the twice-born—especially Brahmins—within his realm.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on the king’s responsibilities: protecting religious-social institutions (symbolized by brahmasva) and maintaining public order by removing offenders who persecute the dvijas.