Shloka 36
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
उपेक्षिता हि नश्येयुगोंमिनो5रण्यवासिन: । तस्मात् तेषु विशेषेण मृदुपूर्व समाचरेत्
upekṣitā hi naśyeyur grāmiṇo ’raṇyavāsinaḥ | tasmāt teṣu viśeṣeṇa mṛdupūrvaṃ samācaret |
Bhishma said: “If neglected, the rural folk—driven to live like forest-dwellers—would perish or abandon settled life. Therefore, a king should deal with them with special care, approaching them first with gentleness.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must not neglect or harshly burden rural subjects; stability and prosperity depend on treating them with special gentleness and care.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhishma warns that if villagers are ignored or oppressed, they will be ruined or flee to the forests; hence the king should adopt a mild, considerate approach toward them.