Shloka 18
Vāmadeva’s Rājadharma: Norm-Setting, Counsel, and the Prevention of Rāṣṭra-Vināśa (वामदेव-प्रोक्तं राजधर्मम्)
रक्षितात्मा च यो राजा रक्ष्यान् यश्चानुरक्षति । प्रजाश्न॒ तस्य वर्धन्ते ध्रुवं च महदश्षुते
rakṣitātmā ca yo rājā rakṣyān yaścānurakṣati | prajāś ca tasya vardhante dhruvaṃ ca mahad aśnute ||
वामदेव बोले—जो राजा पहले अपने शरीर की रक्षा करता है और फिर निरन्तर रक्षणीय जनों की भी रक्षा करता है, उसकी प्रजा बढ़ती-फूलती है और वह राजा निश्चय ही महान फल प्राप्त करता है।
वामदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy and merit rest on disciplined self-protection and steadfast protection of those under his care; such governance makes the people flourish and yields great spiritual and moral reward to the king.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Vāmadeva states a principle of ideal kingship: the king must secure himself and then actively safeguard the protectable—thereby ensuring public prosperity and accruing great merit.