Shloka 14
श्रुतशीले समाज्ञाय वृत्तिमस्य प्रकल्पयेत् । अथीैनं परिरक्षेत पिता पुत्रमिवौरसम्,राजा उसके शास्त्रज्ञान और स्वभावका परिचय प्राप्त करके उसके लिये उचित आजीविकाकी व्यवस्था करे और जैसे पिता अपने औरस पुत्रकी रक्षा करता है, उसी प्रकार वह उस ब्राह्मणकी रक्षा करे
śrutaśīle samājñāya vṛttim asya prakalpayet | athainaṃ parirakṣeta pitā putram ivaurasam ||
Setelah menilai pengetahuannya akan śruti dan keluhuran wataknya, raja hendaknya menetapkan baginya mata pencaharian yang layak. Sesudah itu, ia harus melindungi brahmana itu sebagaimana seorang ayah melindungi putra kandungnya yang sah.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes discerning a Brahmin’s learning and character, providing him an appropriate livelihood, and protecting him with the same care a father gives his own legitimate son—linking governance to moral responsibility and support of the worthy.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he lays down a rule of conduct for rulers: after evaluating a Brahmin’s qualifications (learning and conduct), the king should both maintain him materially and ensure his safety, emphasizing paternal-style guardianship.