Shloka 29
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
एतेन च प्रकारेण कृत्यानामागतिं गतिम् । युक्त: समनुतिछेत तुष्टश्चारैरुपस्कृत:
etena ca prakāreṇa kṛtyānām āgatiṃ gatiṃ | yuktaḥ samanutiṣṭhet tuṣṭaś cārair upaskṛtaḥ ||
Dengan cara inilah, setelah memahami datang-perginya urusan—jalannya dan akibatnya—raja yang berdisiplin hendaknya menjalankan kewajibannya dengan kewaspadaan yang teguh. Biarlah ia tetap puas di dalam batin, dan dengan dukungan para mata-mata, mengetahui segala hal di dalam negeri.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should execute state duties methodically, staying alert to how affairs arise and conclude, maintaining inner composure, and using intelligence networks (spies) to remain accurately informed—vigilance and informed action are presented as ethical necessities of rulership.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising the ruler on practical governance: understand the trajectory of matters, begin and complete tasks properly, keep a content and steady mind, and rely on trusted agents to know the kingdom’s conditions.