Shloka 54
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अभृतानां च भरणं भृतानां चान्ववेक्षणम् । अर्थस्य काले दानं च व्यसने चाप्रसज्धिता
abhṛtānāṃ ca bharaṇaṃ bhṛtānāṃ cānvavekṣaṇam | arthasya kāle dānaṃ ca vyasane cāprasajdhitā
Bhishma dijo: Los deberes de un cabeza de familia justo son sostener a quienes aún no tienen amparo, velar por quienes ya están a su cargo, dar riqueza en el momento oportuno y, en tiempos de calamidad, permanecer firme, sin turbación ni enredo.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines practical dharma as responsible care: provide for those who lack support, continue attentive oversight of dependents, give wealth as charity at the proper time, and maintain steady judgment without panic or moral compromise during adversity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma after the war, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on ethical governance and household conduct, listing concrete virtues that sustain social order—maintenance of dependents, vigilant care, timely generosity, and composure in crisis.