Shloka 12
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
तेषां वृत्ति परिणयेत् कक्रिद् राष्ट्रेषु तच्चर: । जिघांसव: पापकामा: परस्वादायिन: शठा:
teṣāṁ vṛttiṁ pariṇayet kakrid rāṣṭreṣu taccaraḥ | jighāṁsavaḥ pāpakāmāḥ parasvādāyinaḥ śaṭhāḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Let a spy, moving about in the kingdoms, ascertain their mode of livelihood and conduct—those who are eager to kill, who desire sinful ends, who live by taking what belongs to others, and who are deceitful.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should use intelligence networks to identify dangerous and unethical elements—murderous, sin-seeking, thieving, deceitful persons—so that society can be protected and governance can remain aligned with dharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises the king on internal security: spies circulating through various realms should investigate people’s conduct and livelihoods, especially to detect those inclined to violence, theft, and fraud.