Shloka 10
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
समाजोत्सवसम्पन्नं सदा पूजितदैवतम् । वश्यामात्यबलो राजा तत्पुरं स््वयमाविशेत्
samājotsava-sampannaṁ sadā pūjita-daivatam | vaśyāmātya-balo rājā tat-puraṁ svayam āviśet ||
Bhishma berkata: “Seorang raja yang para menterinya dan bala tentaranya setia serta berada dalam kendalinya hendaknya memasuki kota itu sendiri dan memegang tanggung jawabnya—kota yang makmur oleh pertemuan umum dan perayaan, dan tempat para dewa senantiasa dihormati.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should personally assume responsibility for a well-governed city—one marked by social harmony (festivals and assemblies) and religious observance (regular worship). Effective kingship rests on disciplined administration: loyal ministers and a controlled military enable the king to govern directly and protect dharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on royal duty, Bhīṣma advises the king on the conditions of a stable realm and the proper royal response: when the city is prosperous, socially vibrant, and devoted, and when the king’s ministers and forces are obedient, the king should himself enter and take up governance there.