Shloka 38
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
कृपणानाथवृद्धानां यदाश्रु परिमार्जति । हर्ष संजनयन् नृणां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते
kṛpaṇānātha-vṛddhānāṃ yadāśru parimārjati | harṣaṃ sañjanayan nṛṇāṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
Ketika seorang raja mengusap air mata kaum papa, mereka yang tak berpelindung, dan para lanjut usia, serta dengan perilaku itu menumbuhkan sukacita di hati rakyat—maka welas asih itulah yang disebut dharma sang raja.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is not merely punishment or administration; it is compassionate protection—actively relieving the suffering of the vulnerable (the poor, the helpless, and the elderly) and thereby fostering public joy and trust.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, the sage Utathya defines an essential mark of righteous kingship: the ruler personally ensures the welfare of those who lack support, symbolized by ‘wiping away their tears,’ and this benevolence is declared to be true royal duty.