Shloka 14
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
शणं सर्जरसं धान्यमायुधानि शरांस्तथा । चर्म स्नायुं तथा वेत्रं मुजजबल्वजबन्धनान्,काठ, लोहा, धानकी भूसी, कोयला, बाँस, लकड़ी, सींग, हड्डी, मज्जा, तेल, घी, चरबी, शहद, औषधसमूह, सन, राल, धान्य, अस्त्र-शस्त्र, बाण, चमड़ा, ताँत, बेंत तथा मूँज और बल्वजकी रस्सी आदि सामग्रियोंका संग्रह रखे
bhīṣma uvāca | śaṇaṁ sarjarasaṁ dhānyam āyudhāni śarāṁs tathā | carma snāyuṁ tathā vetraṁ muñjabalvajabandhanān ||
Bhishma said: “Let him keep a well-stocked reserve of essential materials—flax and resin, grain and provisions; weapons and arrows; leather, sinew, and cane; and cords made of muñja and balvaja grass. Such preparedness sustains order and protection, enabling one to meet duties without panic or injustice when danger or need arises.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that responsible leadership and household/state management require foresight: maintaining stores of provisions, materials, and defensive equipment so that one can fulfill protective duties (dharma) steadily, without resorting to unjust measures in times of crisis.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Bhishma enumerates practical items to be kept in reserve—fibres, resin, grain, weapons, and binding materials—framing preparedness as part of righteous administration and protection.