Shloka 27
राजधर्मः—प्रजापालनं दानयज्ञश्च
Royal Duty—Protection of Subjects, Generosity, and Sacrificial Discipline
समन्ततो विनियतो वहत्यस्खलितो हि यः । निर्दोष: कर्मवचनात् सिद्धि: कर्मण एव सा
samantato viniyato vahaty askhalito hi yaḥ | nirdoṣaḥ karmavacanāt siddhiḥ karmaṇa eva sā ||
Bhishma dijo: Quien, por todos lados, mantiene su mente y sus sentidos bajo dominio, y soporta con firmeza los deberes que le han sido impuestos sin tropezar jamás, no incurre en falta. Pues las Escrituras ordenan la acción; por ello, para un rey, la verdadera realización se alcanza cumpliendo la obra que le ha sido prescrita, y no buscándola únicamente en la vida del bosque y en las austeridades.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Self-mastery and steadfast performance of one’s assigned duty leads to blamelessness and success; for rulers especially, scripture validates accomplishment through responsible action rather than abandoning obligations for ascetic retreat.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma advises the listener that a king should not seek spiritual or moral ‘success’ by withdrawing to the forest; instead, he must govern and fulfill royal responsibilities with disciplined senses and unwavering resolve.