Shloka 125
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
तेन धर्मोत्तरश्चायं कृतो लोको महात्मना । रंजिताश्च प्रजा: सर्वास्तेन राजेति शब्द्यते
tena dharmottaraś cāyaṃ kṛto loko mahātmanā | rañjitāś ca prajāḥ sarvās tena rājeti śabdyate ||
તે મહાત્માએ આ જગતમાં ધર્મને સર્વોપરી સ્થાપિત કર્યો. અને તેણે સર્વ પ્રજાને રંજિત—પ્રસન્ન તથા અનુરૂપ—કરી; તેથી જ તે “રાજા” કહેવાય છે.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true king is defined by two ethical achievements: establishing Dharma as the highest priority in society and actively securing the welfare and contentment of all subjects; the title “rājā” is justified by the ruler’s ability to ‘please/benefit’ (rañjayati) the people.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, characterizes the ideal ruler: a great-souled king who makes Dharma predominant in the realm and keeps the populace satisfied, hence earning the designation ‘king’.