Shloka 13
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
आत्मवांश्व जितक्रोध: शास्त्रार्थकृतनि श्चय: । धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च सततं रत:
bhīṣma uvāca | ātmavāñ jita-krodhaḥ śāstrārtha-kṛta-niścayaḥ | dharme cārthe ca kāme ca mokṣe ca satataṃ rataḥ |
Bhīṣma dit : « N’est digne d’être roi que celui qui s’est maîtrisé, a vaincu la colère et a atteint une certitude ferme et raisonnée quant au sens des śāstra ; celui qui demeure sans cesse appliqué à la juste poursuite du dharma, de l’artha (prospérité), du kāma (plaisir légitime) et du mokṣa (libération). Un tel souverain doit connaître les Veda et retenir sa parole, sans dévoiler ses conseils secrets. Pour les rois, il n’est pas de faute plus grande que de manquer à la protection des sujets. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy rests on inner discipline and ethical competence: mastery over self and anger, clear understanding of śāstra, steady commitment to the four aims of life, and guarded counsel. Above all, the king’s paramount duty is protection of the people; neglecting it is the gravest royal sin.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhishma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, describing the qualifications of a king and emphasizing that the central responsibility of sovereignty is safeguarding the subjects; failure in protection is condemned as the greatest fault.