Shloka 34
राज्ञोऽभिषेकः, अराजकदोषः, दण्डधारणस्य आवश्यकता
Royal Consecration, the Fault of Kinglessness, and the Necessity of Enforcement
ये चाप्यत्र सहाया: स्यु: पार्थिवानां युधिष्ठिर । ते चैवांशहरा: सर्वे धर्मे परकृतेडनघ
ye cāpy atra sahāyāḥ syuḥ pārthivānāṃ yudhiṣṭhira | te caivāṃśaharāḥ sarve dharme parakṛte 'naghā ||
Bhishma dit : « Ô Yudhiṣṭhira, ceux qui, ici-bas, servent d’aides et de soutiens aux rois—étant sans reproche—chacun d’eux devient participant au mérite du dharma accompli par d’autres dans ce royaume. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Those who support a ruler and help sustain righteous governance share in the merit of dharma performed by others in that kingdom; ethical outcomes extend to enablers and supporters, not only direct actors.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and kingship, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, explaining how a king’s associates and aides partake in the religious and moral merit generated within the realm through others’ righteous acts.