Shloka 24
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
पौरजानपदान सर्वान् संश्रितोपश्ितांस्तथा | यथाशक्त्यनुकम्पेत सर्वान् स््वल्पधनानपि
paurajānāpadān sarvān saṁśritopaśritāṁs tathā | yathāśakty anukampeta sarvān svalpadhanān api ||
Bhishma said: The king should show compassion, to the best of his ability, to all townsmen and villagers—whether they have come directly seeking refuge or have sought protection through an intermediary—even if they possess only meagre wealth. The ruler’s duty is to shelter the vulnerable and respond to appeals for protection without bias toward status or resources.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is to protect and show compassion to all who seek refuge—city and village alike—without discriminating against the poor; mercy should be extended according to the king’s capacity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on governance, emphasizing that the king must respond kindly to subjects who come for protection, whether directly or through intermediaries.