Shloka 29
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
एतेन च प्रकारेण कृत्यानामागतिं गतिम् । युक्त: समनुतिछेत तुष्टश्चारैरुपस्कृत:
etena ca prakāreṇa kṛtyānām āgatiṃ gatiṃ | yuktaḥ samanutiṣṭhet tuṣṭaś cārair upaskṛtaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ainsi, ayant compris le venir et le partir—le cours et l’issue—des affaires, un roi discipliné doit accomplir ses devoirs avec une vigilance constante. Qu’il demeure intérieurement content et, soutenu par un réseau d’espions, qu’il se tienne informé de tout ce qui se passe dans le royaume.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should execute state duties methodically, staying alert to how affairs arise and conclude, maintaining inner composure, and using intelligence networks (spies) to remain accurately informed—vigilance and informed action are presented as ethical necessities of rulership.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising the ruler on practical governance: understand the trajectory of matters, begin and complete tasks properly, keep a content and steady mind, and rely on trusted agents to know the kingdom’s conditions.