Shloka 4
राजधर्मः—प्रजापालनं दानयज्ञश्च
Royal Duty—Protection of Subjects, Generosity, and Sacrificial Discipline
राज्ञा हि पूजितो धर्मस्तत: सर्वत्र पूज्यते । यद् यदाचरते राजा तत् प्रजानां सम रोचते
rājñā hi pūjito dharmas tataḥ sarvatra pūjyate | yad yad ācarate rājā tat prajānāṃ sama rocate ||
Cuando un rey honra el dharma, ese dharma llega a ser honrado en todas partes. Pues la conducta que el rey adopta, esa misma conducta le parece grata y digna de imitación al pueblo.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s personal reverence and practice of dharma sets the standard for society: when the king honors dharma, it gains authority everywhere, and the people naturally imitate the king’s conduct.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and righteousness, Bhishma advises the listener on rajadharma, emphasizing that the king’s behavior shapes public values and actions.