Shloka 38
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
कृपणानाथवृद्धानां यदाश्रु परिमार्जति । हर्ष संजनयन् नृणां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते,जब वह दीन, अनाथ और वृद्धोंके आँसू पोंछता है और इस बर्तावद्वारा सब लोगोंके हृदयमें हर्ष उत्पन्न करता है, तब उसका वह सदभाव राजाका धर्म कहलाता है
kṛpaṇānātha-vṛddhānāṃ yadāśru parimārjati | harṣaṃ sañjanayan nṛṇāṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
Utathya said: When a king wipes away the tears of the destitute, the unprotected, and the aged, and by such conduct awakens joy in the hearts of the people, that benevolent disposition is called the king’s dharma.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is not merely punishment or administration; it is compassionate protection—actively relieving the suffering of the vulnerable (the poor, the helpless, and the elderly) and thereby fostering public joy and trust.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, the sage Utathya defines an essential mark of righteous kingship: the ruler personally ensures the welfare of those who lack support, symbolized by ‘wiping away their tears,’ and this benevolence is declared to be true royal duty.