Shloka 35
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
यद्धि गुप्तावशिष्टं स्यात् तद्वित्तं धर्मकामयो: । संचयाजन्न विसर्गी स्याद् राजा शास्त्रविदात्मवान्
yaddhi guptāvaśiṣṭaṃ syāt tad vittaṃ dharmakāmayoḥ | saṃcayāj jan na visargī syād rājā śāstravid ātmavān ||
भीष्म बोले—रक्षा-व्यवस्था में जो धन बच रहे, वही धर्म और उचित भोग के कार्यों में व्यय करना चाहिए। शास्त्रज्ञ और आत्मसंयमी राजा न तो केवल संचय में आसक्त होकर कंजूस बने, न ही उचित प्रयोजन आने पर धन छोड़ने से इंकार करे।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should first ensure security and protection; the surplus wealth should then be used for dharma (public good, righteous duties) and for legitimate prosperity/enjoyment. Hoarding without timely, proper disbursement is presented as a failure of wise kingship.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on statecraft: how a king should manage the treasury—prioritizing protection, then using remaining resources for righteous purposes rather than becoming merely an accumulator.