Shloka 12
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
आदावेव कुरुश्रेष्ठ राज्ञा रञज्जनकाम्यया । देवतानां द्विजानां च वर्तितव्यं यथाविधि
ādāveva kuruśreṣṭha rājñā rañjanakāmyayā | devatānāṃ dvijānāṃ ca vartitavyaṃ yathāvidhi ||
ビーシュマは言った。「クル族の最勝者よ、王は初めより、民を喜ばせその心を得ようと願うなら、聖典の定めに従って、神々と二度生まれの者（ドヴィジャ）に対し正しく振る舞うべきである。すなわち、神々を法にかなって祭祀し、ブラーフマナをしかるべく敬い扶持することだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy and the happiness of the people are grounded in disciplined, scripturally guided conduct—especially proper worship of the deities and respectful support of Brahmins. This establishes moral order (dharma) and fosters public trust.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhīṣma advises the Kuru prince (Yudhiṣṭhira) on the foundational practices of rulership, emphasizing that the king should begin his reign by following prescribed religious and social duties toward gods and Brahmins to secure the people’s contentment.