Shloka 4
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
आत्मा जेय: सदा राज्ञा ततो जेयाश्ष शत्रव: । अजितात्मा नरपतिर्विजयेत कथं रिपून्
ātmā jeyaḥ sadā rājñā tato jeyāś ca śatravaḥ | ajitātmā narapatir vijayet kathaṃ ripūn |
Bhīṣma dit : «Un roi doit d’abord, et toujours, se vaincre lui-même ; ensuite seulement il doit s’efforcer de vaincre les ennemis du dehors. Car comment un souverain qui n’a pas maîtrisé son esprit et ses élans pourrait-il remporter la victoire sur ses adversaires ?»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that self-mastery is the foundation of kingship and success: a ruler must first conquer his own mind, desires, and anger; only then is victory over external enemies meaningful and achievable.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises the king on proper governance and conduct, emphasizing inner discipline as a prerequisite for effective rule and military or political victory.