Shloka 40
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
सत्यं पालयति प्रीत्या नित्यं भूमिं प्रयच्छति । पूजयेदतिथीन् भृत्यान् स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते
satyaṁ pālayati prītyā nityaṁ bhūmiṁ prayacchati | pūjayed atithīn bhṛtyān sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
राजा जो प्रेमपूर्वक सत्य का पालन करता है, नित्य भूदान करता है और अतिथियों तथा आश्रित-भृत्यों का सत्कार करता है—वही राजधर्म कहलाता है।
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is defined by ethical governance: steadfast truthfulness, continual generosity (especially land-gifts), and respectful hospitality and care for guests and dependents.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on royal conduct, the sage Utathya states a concise standard for kingship, describing the behaviors by which a king is recognized as righteous.