Shloka 26
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
प्रागेव तु धनादानमनुभाष्य तत: पुन: । संनिपत्य स्वविषये भयं राष्ट्रे प्रदर्शयेत्
prāgeva tu dhanādānam anubhāṣya tataḥ punaḥ | sannipatya svaviṣaye bhayaṁ rāṣṭre pradarśayet ||
Bhishma said: First, the king should explain beforehand the need for collecting wealth (through contributions or revenue). Then, returning again, he should assemble the people within his own domain and make them clearly perceive the danger threatening the realm—so that public support and readiness arise from understanding rather than coercion.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should not extract wealth abruptly or opaquely; he should first explain the necessity of raising funds and then, by convening the people, clearly communicate the external or internal threat to the realm. Legitimate revenue-collection is grounded in transparency, persuasion, and shared responsibility for public safety.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he advises Yudhishthira on practical statecraft: before collecting money, the ruler should publicly justify the need and then tour/convene assemblies in his territory to alert the populace to impending danger, thereby mobilizing support and preparedness.