Shloka 51
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
क्रुश्यन्ति परिदीप्यन्ति भूमिपायाधितिष्ठते । उत्कोचैर्वज्चनाभि श्र कार्याण्यनुविहन्ति च
kruśyanti paridīpyante bhūmipāyādhitiṣṭhate | utkośair vañcanābhiś ca kāryāṇy anuvighnanti ca ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ils crient et s’embrasent de colère contre le roi qui gouverne la terre ; et, prenant des pots-de-vin et recourant à la tromperie, ils entravent les affaires du souverain.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights a key ethical danger to righteous rule: subjects or officials who, driven by anger and self-interest, use bribery and deceit to obstruct the king’s legitimate work. The verse condemns corruption and sabotage as adharma that undermines stable governance.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma (the duties of kings), Bhishma describes harmful behaviors found in a kingdom: people complain and rage against the ruling king, and some interfere with royal administration by taking bribes and employing fraud.