Shloka 25
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
धर्माणामविरोधेन सर्वेषां प्रियमाचरेत् । ममायमिति राजा यः स पर्वत इवाचल:
dharmāṇām avirodhena sarveṣāṁ priyam ācaret | mamāyam iti rājā yaḥ sa parvata iva acalaḥ ||
Raja hendaknya berbuat menyenangkan bagi semua orang tanpa bertentangan dengan dharma. Raja yang memandang rakyatnya dengan perasaan, “Mereka ini milikku sendiri,” akan teguh tak tergoyahkan laksana gunung.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should win the goodwill of all through pleasing conduct, but never at the cost of dharma; ethical limits must govern popularity. Seeing the subjects as “my own” creates steadfast, responsible rule.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on the qualities of an ideal king: benevolence toward all, unwavering adherence to dharma, and a protective sense of ownership toward the people.