Shloka 42
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
तद्राज्ये राज्यकामानां नान्यो धर्म: सनातन: । ऋते रक्षां तु विस्पष्टां रक्षा लोकस्य धारिणी
tad rājye rājyakāmānāṁ nānyo dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | ṛte rakṣāṁ tu vispaṣṭāṁ rakṣā lokasya dhāriṇī ||
Bhīṣma dit : Pour les rois qui désirent et détiennent la souveraineté, il n’est, dans leur royaume, d’autre devoir éternel que la protection nette et efficace de leurs sujets. La protection seule soutient le monde ; en sauvegardant le peuple, le roi maintient l’ordre, la justice et la stabilité même de la société.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s foremost and perennial dharma is the protection of the people; effective safeguarding is presented as the foundation that sustains society and the world’s order.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma teaches Yudhishthira that rulership is justified and sanctified primarily through the ruler’s duty to protect subjects, making security and welfare the king’s central obligation.