Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 17
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
यस्य स्फीतो जनपद: सम्पन्न: प्रियराजक: । संतुष्टभृत्यसचिवो दृढमूल: स पार्थिव:
yasya sphīto janapadaḥ sampannaḥ priyarājakaḥ | santuṣṭabhṛtyasacivo dṛḍhamūlaḥ sa pārthivaḥ ||
भीष्म ने कहा—जिस राजा का जनपद समृद्ध हो, धन-धान्य से सम्पन्न हो, प्रजाजन अपने प्रिय राजा के प्रति अनुरक्त हों, और जिसके भृत्य तथा सचिव संतुष्ट रहें—वही पार्थिव दृढ़मूल (स्थिर राज्यवाला) माना जाता है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s stability rests on two pillars: the prosperity of the realm and the contentment of those who serve in governance. When subjects thrive and officials are satisfied, the rule is 'firm-rooted'—secure and aligned with rajadharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma. Here he describes the marks of a well-established ruler: a flourishing country, loyal subjects, and satisfied ministers and retainers.