Shloka 30
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
अड्मेतन्महद् राज्ये धनिनो नाम भारत । ककुदं सर्वभूतानां धनस्थो नात्र संशय:,भरतनन्दन! धनीलोग राष्ट्रके मुख्य अंग हैं। धनवान् पुरुष समस्त प्राणियोंमें प्रधान होता है, इसमें संशय नहीं है
aḍmetan mahad rājye dhanino nāma bhārata | kakudaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ dhanastho nātra saṁśayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “O Bhārata, this is a great reality in a kingdom: the wealthy are regarded as eminent. One who stands upon wealth becomes, as it were, the ‘crest’ among all beings—of this there is no doubt.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a pragmatic truth of political and social life: wealth often confers status and influence, making the wealthy appear ‘foremost’ in society. The verse functions as a cautionary ethical observation about how power can follow money, shaping hierarchy and decision-making in a kingdom.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhīṣma addresses the listener (Bhārata) and states an observation about kingdoms: those with wealth tend to become leading figures and are treated as prominent among people.