Shloka 43
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
प्रगण्डी: कारयेत् सम्यगाकाशजननीस्तदा । आपूरयेच्च परिखां स्थाणुनक्रझषाकुलाम्
pragaṇḍīḥ kārayet samyag ākāśa-jananīs tadā | āpūrayec ca parikhāṃ sthāṇu-nakra-jhaṣākulām ||
ビーシュマは言った。「次に、プラガンディー（pragaṇḍī）――防御のための台座・工作物――を正しく築かせ、またアーカーシャ・ジャナニー（ākāśa-jananī）、すなわち壁に設けて偵察し飛び道具を放つための小孔を、然るべき場所に作らせよ。城壁外の濠には水を満たし、三叉槍を備えた尖杭のような柱を立て、さらに鰐と大魚を放て。かくして砦を整えれば、警戒する勇士を守備に据え、敵の接近を阻むことができる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In rājadharma, protection of subjects is a primary duty; Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler should ensure layered, well-planned defenses—platforms for guards, controlled openings for observation and missile use, and moats with obstacles—so that security is maintained and aggression is deterred.
Bhīṣma is instructing on practical fort-defense: build pragaṇḍīs and ākāśa-jananī openings correctly, then strengthen the outer perimeter by filling the moat with water and adding dangerous impediments like spiked posts, crocodiles, and large fish.