Shloka 39
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
यमाश्रित्य नरा राजन वर्तयेयुर्यथासुखम् । अनाथास्तप्यमानाश्व दस्युभि: परिपीडिता:,डाकुओंसे पीड़ित होकर कष्ट पाते हुए अनाथ मनुष्यगण जिसकी शरणमें जाकर सुखपूर्वक रह सकें, उसीको अपने बन्धु-वान्धवके समान मानकर बड़ी प्रसन्नताके साथ उसका आदर-सत्कार करना उनके लिये उचित है; क्योंकि कुरुनन्दन! जो निर्भय होकर बारंबार दूसरोंका संकट निवारण कर सके, वही राजोचित सम्मान पानेके योग्य है
yam āśritya narā rājan vartayeyur yathāsukham | anāthās tapyamānāś ca dasyubhiḥ paripīḍitāḥ ||
Bhishma said: “O King, people should be able to live in comfort by taking refuge in one who provides protection. Those who are without support, suffering, and oppressed by bandits ought to regard such a protector as their own kinsman and honor him with glad respect. For, O best of the Kurus, the one who can repeatedly remove the dangers of others without fear is truly worthy of royal honor.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or any protector) is worthy of honor when he fearlessly and repeatedly removes the dangers of others; the helpless should be able to take refuge in such a person and live securely.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma addresses the king and explains the standard of true royal worth: providing dependable refuge and protection, especially for those oppressed by criminals.