Shloka 17
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
धर्मज्ञानां धृतिमतां संग्रामेष्वपपलायिनाम् | राष्ट्र तु येडनुजीवन्ति ये तु राज्ञोडनुजीविन:
dharmajñānāṁ dhṛtimatāṁ saṅgrāmeṣv apapalāyinām | rāṣṭre tu ye ’nujīvanti ye tu rājño ’nujīvinaḥ, sarvān supariṇītāṁs tān kārayethā yudhiṣṭhira ||
Wahai Yudhishthira, mereka yang mengetahui dharma, berhati teguh, dan tak pernah lari dari medan perang; mereka yang mencari nafkah di dalam negeri, dan mereka yang hidup bergantung pada raja—semuanya hendaknya engkau tempatkan dengan baik dan engkau muliakan sebagaimana patutnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma by honoring and properly supporting those who sustain the state—especially the dharma-knowing, steadfast, and courageous defenders, as well as those whose livelihood depends on the realm or the king. Respect and provision are presented as instruments of stable governance and moral legitimacy.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira after the war, giving practical counsel on how a king should treat key social and military groups. The verse emphasizes ensuring due honor and care for loyal, capable persons who serve or depend upon the kingdom.