Shloka 48
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
न जात्वदक्षो नृपति: प्रजा: शक्नोति रक्षितुम् | भारो हि सुमहांस्तात राज्यं नाम सुदुष्करम्,तात! जो दक्ष नहीं है, वह राजा कभी प्रजाकी रक्षा नहीं कर सकता; क्योंकि यह राज्यका संचालनरूप अत्यंत दुष्कर कार्य बहुत बड़ा भार है
na jātvadakṣo nṛpatiḥ prajāḥ śaknoti rakṣitum | bhāro hi sumahāṁs tāta rājyaṁ nāma suduṣkaram |
Utathya said: “A king who lacks competence can never truly protect his subjects. For the task called ‘kingship’ is exceedingly difficult, my dear one, and it is a very great burden to bear.”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kingship is not merely a title but a demanding moral and practical responsibility; without competence (dakṣatā), a ruler cannot protect the people, and thus fails in rajadharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, the sage Utathya addresses a listener (tāta) and emphasizes that ruling is an arduous burden; only a capable king can safeguard the subjects.