Shloka 33
अध्याय ७२ — राजधर्मः: प्रजारक्षण, कर-नीति, दण्ड-नीति, अमात्य-नियोजन
Chapter 72 — Royal Duty: protection of subjects, taxation, punishment, and appointments
तस्माद् राजैव नान्यो<स्ति यो धर्मफलमाप्नुयात् । स राज्यं धृतिमान् प्राप्य धर्मेण परिपालय । इन्द्र तर्पप सोमेन कामैश्न सुहदो जनान्,इसलिये धर्मात्मा राजा ही ऐसे धर्मका फल पाता है, दूसरा नहीं। तुम धैर्यवान् तो हो ही। यह राज्य पाकर धर्मपूर्वक प्रजाका पालन करो। यज्ञमें सोमरसरुद्वारा इन्द्रको तृप्त करो और मनोवांछित वस्तु प्रदान करके सुहृदोंको संतुष्ट करो
tasmād rājāiva nānyo 'sti yo dharmaphalam āpnuyāt | sa rājyaṁ dhṛtimān prāpya dharmeṇa paripālaya | indraṁ tarpay somena kāmaiś ca suhṛdo janān ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Por ello, sólo el rey—y nadie más—alcanza verdaderamente el fruto del dharma mediante el ejercicio del gobierno. Tú eres firme en tu determinación; habiendo obtenido el reino, protege y rige al pueblo conforme a la rectitud. Satisface a Indra con Soma en el sacrificio, y alegra a tus amigos y aliados concediéndoles los beneficios que desean».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that the king uniquely gains the fruit of dharma because his role directly sustains society. Therefore, sovereignty must be exercised with fortitude and strict adherence to dharma—protecting subjects, maintaining order, and fulfilling both sacred (yajña/offerings) and social obligations (supporting allies and well-wishers).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on statecraft and ethics, Bhishma addresses the ruler (traditionally Yudhiṣṭhira) and urges him to govern righteously after attaining the kingdom: protect the people, perform sacrifices that honor the gods (Indra with Soma), and keep allies content by granting appropriate rewards.