Shloka 16
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
गुणवन्तो महोत्साहा धर्मज्ञा: साधवश्च ये । संदधीत नृपस्तैश्न राष्ट्र धर्मेण पालयन्
guṇavanto mahotsāhā dharmajñāḥ sādhavaś ca ye | sandadhīta nṛpas tais tu rāṣṭraṃ dharmeṇa pālayan ||
जो गुणवान्, महान् उत्साही, धर्मज्ञ और साधु पुरुष हों, उन्हें सहायक बनाकर, धर्मपूर्वक राष्ट्र की रक्षा करने वाला राजा बलवान् राजाओं के साथ संधि स्थापित करे।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength should rest on dharmic governance and the support of virtuous, capable advisers; with such a foundation, forming alliances with strong rulers becomes a legitimate and effective means to protect the realm.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he advises the king on practical policy: appoint and rely on upright, energetic, dharma-knowing men, and then pursue treaties/alliances with powerful kings to secure the kingdom.