Shloka 25
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
सहायान् सतत कुर्याद् राजा भूतिपुरष्कृत: । तैश्व तुल्यो भवेद् भोगैश्छत्रमात्राज्याधिक:
bhīṣma uvāca | sahāyān satataṁ kuryād rājā bhūti-puraḥkṛtaḥ | taiś ca tulyo bhaved bhogaiś chatra-mātrājya-adhikaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Un roi, soucieux de prospérité, doit toujours nommer et entretenir des auxiliaires capables. Avec eux, qu’il soit l’égal dans la jouissance des commodités et des récompenses ; qu’il ne les dépasse qu’en ce qui marque la souveraineté : porter le parasol royal et exercer le pouvoir de commander. La leçon morale est que la stabilité du règne repose sur l’honneur rendu aux alliés dignes, avec dignité et prospérité partagée, non sur l’humiliation des subordonnés ni sur l’accaparement des privilèges.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should secure prosperity by choosing steadfast, capable supporters and rewarding them generously; he should treat them as equals in comforts, retaining superiority only in the formal symbols and authority of kingship.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a king should manage and honor his aides: appoint worthy allies, keep them satisfied with shared benefits, and rely on respectful leadership rather than domination.