Shloka 43
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
प्रगण्डी: कारयेत् सम्यगाकाशजननीस्तदा । आपूरयेच्च परिखां स्थाणुनक्रझषाकुलाम्
pragaṇḍīḥ kārayet samyag ākāśa-jananīs tadā | āpūrayec ca parikhāṃ sthāṇu-nakra-jhaṣākulām ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ensuite, qu’il fasse construire correctement les pragaṇḍīs—plates-formes et ouvrages défensifs—et qu’il aménage aux bons endroits les ākāśa-jananīs, petites ouvertures dans les murs pour observer et lancer des projectiles. Qu’il remplisse d’eau le fossé extérieur, y plante des pieux acérés munis de tridents, et l’emplisse de crocodiles et de grands poissons. Ainsi la forteresse sera disposée pour poster des guerriers vigilants et arrêter l’approche de l’ennemi.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In rājadharma, protection of subjects is a primary duty; Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler should ensure layered, well-planned defenses—platforms for guards, controlled openings for observation and missile use, and moats with obstacles—so that security is maintained and aggression is deterred.
Bhīṣma is instructing on practical fort-defense: build pragaṇḍīs and ākāśa-jananī openings correctly, then strengthen the outer perimeter by filling the moat with water and adding dangerous impediments like spiked posts, crocodiles, and large fish.