Shloka 46
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
भिक्षुका: प्राड्विवाकाश्व मौहूर्ता दैवचिन्तका: । कोशो मित्राणि धान्यं च सर्वोपकरणानि च
bhikṣukāḥ prāḍvivākāś ca mauhūrtā daivacintakāḥ | kośo mitrāṇi dhānyaṃ ca sarvopakaraṇāni ca ||
Para pengemis suci (bhikṣu), para ahli hukum yang terpelajar (prāḍvivāka), para penentu muhurta, dan para perenung perkara ilahi; juga perbendaharaan, sekutu, lumbung gandum, serta segala perlengkapan—semuanya dihitung sebagai unsur yang menopang kerajaan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse situates various social specialists and material resources—legal experts, astrologers/diviners, treasury, allies, provisions, and equipment—as essential supports of the kingdom, within a broader rājadharma framework where the state is viewed as an organism whose stability ultimately depends on daṇḍa (lawful discipline/punishment) to maintain order.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (the duties of kings). Here he continues enumerating the elements that uphold a polity—both personnel and resources—clarifying how governance relies on coordinated ‘limbs’ of the state and the regulating force of authority.