Shloka 17
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
धर्मज्ञानां धृतिमतां संग्रामेष्वपपलायिनाम् | राष्ट्र तु येडनुजीवन्ति ये तु राज्ञोडनुजीविन:
dharmajñānāṁ dhṛtimatāṁ saṅgrāmeṣv apapalāyinām | rāṣṭre tu ye ’nujīvanti ye tu rājño ’nujīvinaḥ, sarvān supariṇītāṁs tān kārayethā yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhishma said: “O Yudhishthira, those who know dharma, who are steadfast, and who never turn away from battle; those who earn their livelihood within the realm, and those who live in dependence upon the king—treat all such people with due honor and proper regard. A ruler should ensure that these worthy dependents and servants of the state are well cared for, for their stability upholds the kingdom’s order and the king’s moral authority.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma by honoring and properly supporting those who sustain the state—especially the dharma-knowing, steadfast, and courageous defenders, as well as those whose livelihood depends on the realm or the king. Respect and provision are presented as instruments of stable governance and moral legitimacy.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira after the war, giving practical counsel on how a king should treat key social and military groups. The verse emphasizes ensuring due honor and care for loyal, capable persons who serve or depend upon the kingdom.