Shloka 14
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
शणं सर्जरसं धान्यमायुधानि शरांस्तथा । चर्म स्नायुं तथा वेत्रं मुजजबल्वजबन्धनान्
bhīṣma uvāca | śaṇaṁ sarjarasaṁ dhānyam āyudhāni śarāṁs tathā | carma snāyuṁ tathā vetraṁ muñjabalvajabandhanān ||
Bhishma dijo: «Que mantenga una reserva bien provista de materiales esenciales: lino y resina; grano y provisiones; armas y flechas; cuero, tendones y caña; y cuerdas hechas de las hierbas muñja y balvaja. Tal previsión sostiene el orden y la protección, y permite cumplir los deberes sin pánico ni injusticia cuando surge el peligro o la necesidad.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that responsible leadership and household/state management require foresight: maintaining stores of provisions, materials, and defensive equipment so that one can fulfill protective duties (dharma) steadily, without resorting to unjust measures in times of crisis.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Bhishma enumerates practical items to be kept in reserve—fibres, resin, grain, weapons, and binding materials—framing preparedness as part of righteous administration and protection.