Shloka 16
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
सत्कृताश्च प्रयत्नेन आचार्यर्त्विकुपुरोहिता: । महेष्वासा: स्थपतय: सांवत्सरचिकित्सका:,आचार्य, ऋत्विजू, पुरोहित और महान् धनुर्धरोंका तथा घर बनानेवालोंका, वर्षफल बतानेवाले ज्यौतिषियोंका और वैद्योंका यत्नपूर्वक सत्कार करे
satkṛtāś ca prayatnena ācārya-ṛtvij-purohitāḥ | maheṣvāsāḥ sthapatayaḥ sāṁvatsara-cikitsakāḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: Dengan kesungguhan, hendaknya seseorang memuliakan dan menyambut dengan patut para guru, para imam pelaksana yajña, dan purohita; demikian pula para pemanah agung, ahli bangunan, ahli nujum yang menghitung tahun beserta hasilnya, serta para tabib. Sebab tatanan hidup dan kerajaan berdiri di atas penghormatan kepada mereka yang menopang masyarakat melalui pengetahuan, kewajiban ritual, perlindungan, keterampilan, perhitungan waktu, dan penyembuhan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dhārmic ruler or householder should consciously honor key bearers of knowledge and public welfare—teachers, priests, chaplains, defenders (great archers), builders, time-reckoners/astrologers, and physicians—because their expertise sustains moral, ritual, and practical stability in society.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by listing categories of respected professionals and urging their proper reception and support as part of righteous conduct and statecraft.