Shloka 34
राज्ञोऽभिषेकः, अराजकदोषः, दण्डधारणस्य आवश्यकता
Royal Consecration, the Fault of Kinglessness, and the Necessity of Enforcement
ये चाप्यत्र सहाया: स्यु: पार्थिवानां युधिष्ठिर । ते चैवांशहरा: सर्वे धर्मे परकृतेडनघ
ye cāpy atra sahāyāḥ syuḥ pārthivānāṃ yudhiṣṭhira | te caivāṃśaharāḥ sarve dharme parakṛte 'naghā ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Yudhiṣṭhira, mereka yang di dunia ini menjadi penolong dan pendukung para raja—wahai yang tak bercela—semuanya turut memperoleh bagian dari pahala dharma yang dilakukan orang lain di dalam negeri itu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Those who support a ruler and help sustain righteous governance share in the merit of dharma performed by others in that kingdom; ethical outcomes extend to enablers and supporters, not only direct actors.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and kingship, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, explaining how a king’s associates and aides partake in the religious and moral merit generated within the realm through others’ righteous acts.