Shloka 34
Chapter 78: Royal Responsibility for Wealth, Social Order, and the Protection of Dvijas
Kekaya Exemplum
अतः राजाओंको चाहिये कि वे विपरीत कर्म करने-वाले ब्राह्मणोंको उनपर अनुग्रह करनेके लिये ही नियन्त्रणमें रखें और उनकी आवश्यकताकी वस्तुएँ उन्हें देते रहें ।। एवं यो वर्तते राजा पौरजानपदेष्विह । अनुभूयेह भद्राणि प्राप्रोतीन्द्रसलोकताम्,जो राजा अपने नगर और राष्ट्रकी प्रजाके साथ ऐसा धर्मपूर्ण बर्ताव करता है, वह इस लोकमें सुख भोगकर अन्तमें इन्द्रलोक प्राप्त कर लेता है
ataḥ rājñāṁ ca kāryaṁ yat viparīta-karma-kāriṇaḥ brāhmaṇān anugrahārtham eva niyantrayet, teṣāṁ cāvaśyakāni dravyāṇi satataṁ dadāt. evaṁ yo vartate rājā paurajānapadeṣv iha, sa iha bhadrāṇy anubhūya ante indrasa-lokatāṁ prāpnoti.
Bhishma teaches that kings should restrain Brahmins who act contrary to right conduct—not out of hostility, but solely to correct and protect them—and should continue to provide them with the necessities of life. A ruler who behaves in this dharmic way toward the people of his towns and countryside enjoys well-being in this world and, at life’s end, attains the realm of Indra.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king must uphold dharma by regulating even Brahmins when they act wrongly, but the motive must be anugraha—benevolent correction and protection—while still ensuring their basic needs are met. Such balanced, principled governance yields welfare here and heavenly merit hereafter.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a ruler should treat different social groups. Here he emphasizes disciplined yet compassionate oversight of erring Brahmins and fair dharmic conduct toward both urban and rural subjects, linking righteous rule to prosperity and Indra’s realm.