Shloka 16
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
तस्माद् विधाय नगरे विधानं सचिवै: सह । अर्चयस्व यथाकामं दैवतानि विशाम्पते,“राजन! अतः आप मन्त्रियोंके साथ नगरकी रक्षाके लिये आवश्यक व्यवस्था करके इच्छानुसार देवताओंकी अर्चना कीजिये”
tasmād vidhāya nagare vidhānaṃ sacivaiḥ saha | arcayasva yathākāmaṃ daivatāni viśāmpate ||
Therefore, O lord of the people, after arranging—together with your ministers—the necessary measures in the city for its protection and orderly governance, worship the deities as you desire.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should first secure and regulate the city through proper administrative measures with competent ministers, and then perform worship; dharma here is the integration of responsible governance with reverence for the divine.
Bhishma is giving counsel to a king, instructing him to organize the city’s defenses and civic order in consultation with ministers, and thereafter to worship the deities according to his intention.