Shloka 231
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
राजाके लिये जो गोपनीय रहस्यकी बात हो
rājāke liye yo gopanīya rahasya-kī bāta ho, śatruoṃ para vijaya pāne ke liye vaha yo lokoṃ kā saṅgraha karatā ho, vijaya ke hī uddheśya se tasya hṛdaya meṃ yo kārya chipa ho athavā use yo na karane yogya asat-kārya karanā ho, vaha sab kuch use sarala-bhāva se hī chipāye rakhanā cāhiye. vaha lokoṃ meṃ āpnī pratiṣṭhā banāye rakhane ke liye sadā dhārmika karmoṃ kā anuṣṭhāna kare. rājyaṃ hi sumahat tantraṃ dhāryate nākṛtātmabhiḥ | na śakyaṃ mṛdunā voḍhum āyāsa-sthānam uttamam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王にとって秘すべき密議とは、敵に勝つために人々を取りまとめる策であれ、征服のみを目的として胸中に隠す企てであれ、あるいはやむを得ず行うべきだと感じる不当で不浄な行いであれ、すべてを外には素朴に見せつつ、内には隠し通すべきである。民の中での威信を保つため、常にダルマの行を修めよ。王権とは巨大で精妙な機構であり、自制なき者には担えない。労苦の極みにあるこの最高の座は、ただ柔和さのみでは支えられぬ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that ruling is a heavy, complex responsibility requiring self-mastery. A king must protect confidential strategy (even when morally uncomfortable) while maintaining public legitimacy through consistent observance of dharma; mere gentleness or leniency cannot sustain the burdens of governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance: how a ruler should manage secrecy, strategy, and public reputation, and why kingship demands disciplined strength rather than only mildness.