Shloka 55
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
परिखाश्लैव कौरव्य प्रतोलीर्निष्कुटानि च । न जात्वन्य: प्रपश्येत गुह्ममेतद् युधिष्ठिर
parikhāś caiva kauravya pratolīr niṣkuṭāni ca | na jātvan anyaḥ prapaśyet guhyam etad yudhiṣṭhira ||
ビーシュマは言った。「クル族の裔よ。堀、門楼、内郭の囲いは、外の者が決して目にできぬように整えよ。これは秘事である、ユディシュティラよ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must protect the kingdom through prudent, discreet planning—especially regarding defenses and strategic infrastructure. Security measures should not be exposed to outsiders, because secrecy can prevent exploitation and thereby safeguard subjects.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira practical principles of governance. Here he emphasizes that fortifications and inner defensive arrangements (moats, gates, enclosures) are to be kept confidential so that enemies or rivals cannot assess vulnerabilities.