Shloka 11
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
भव नस्त्वं महाराज राजेह शरदां शतम् | प्रजा: पालय धर्मेण यथेन्द्रस्त्रेदिवं तथा
bhava nas tvaṃ mahārāja rājendra śaradāṃ śatam | prajāḥ pālaya dharmeṇa yathendras tredivaṃ tathā ||
‘महाराज, राजेन्द्र! आप सौ शरद् तक हमारे राजा बने रहें। जैसे इन्द्र त्रिदिव की रक्षा करते हैं, वैसे ही आप भी धर्मपूर्वक प्रजाओं का पालन करें।’
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a central principle of rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy and longevity are tied to righteous protection of the people. Governance is framed as guardianship—maintaining order and welfare through dharma, modeled on Indra’s protective role in heaven.
Vaiśampāyana voices a formal blessing and exhortation to the king: may he reign long (“a hundred autumns”) and rule by dharma, protecting his subjects as Indra protects the celestial realm. It functions as praise and a normative instruction on ideal kingship.