Shloka 9
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
शत्रून् जय प्रजा रक्ष यजस्व क्रतुभिर्न्प । युध्यस्व समरे वीरो भूत्वा कौरवनन्दन,नरेश्वर! कौरवनन्दन! तुम शत्रुओंको जीतो, प्रजाकी रक्षा करो, नाना प्रकारके यज्ञ करते रहो और समरभूमिमें वीरतापूर्वक लड़ो
śatrūn jaya prajā rakṣa yajasva kratubhir nṛpa | yudhyasva samare vīro bhūtvā kauravanandana ||
Bhīṣma urges the Kuru prince to rule as a true kṣatriya: conquer hostile foes, protect the people, sustain the sacred order through varied sacrificial rites, and—when duty demands—fight bravely on the battlefield.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is fourfold here: subdue threats, protect the populace, uphold sacred order through yajña, and fight courageously when war is righteous and necessary—power is justified only when it serves protection and dharma.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs the ruler (addressed as ‘Kauravanandana’) on proper conduct of kingship, summarizing the active duties expected of a kṣatriya-king in governance, ritual responsibility, and warfare.