Shloka 26
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
जो सब प्राणियोंपर दया करते और प्रजाकी उन्नतिमें योग देते हैं, वे तुम्हारे राष्ट्रमें निवास करें। जो लोग प्राणियोंका विनाश करनेवाले हैं, वे न रहें ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | ye sarva-prāṇiṣu dayāṃ kurvanti prajāyāś ca unnatau yogaṃ dadati, te tava rāṣṭre nivasantu | ye tu prāṇi-vināśa-kārāḥ, te na nivasantu || daṇḍyās te ca mahārāja dhanādāna-prayojakāḥ | prayogaṃ kārayeyus tān yathā-bali-karāṃs tathā ||
Bhishma said: “Let those dwell in your realm who show compassion to all living beings and who contribute to the welfare and advancement of the people. But those who bring about the destruction of creatures should not remain. And, O great king, those officials who instigate the taking of money—who exact or cause to be exacted more than what is proper—are fit to be punished by you. Appoint other officers to train and enforce the correct practice of collecting only what is due, in accordance with the proper levy.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should foster a realm led by compassionate, welfare-oriented people, and should punish officials who exploit subjects through improper exactions; taxation must follow a correct, limited, and lawful procedure.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma addresses the king (Yudhishthira) and lays down administrative policy: keep benevolent persons in the kingdom, expel harmful ones, and discipline corrupt revenue agents while instituting proper tax-collection practice through responsible officers.