Shloka 12
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
आन्तरेभ्य: परान् रक्षन् परेभ्य: पुनरान्तरान् | परान् परेभ्य: स्वान् स्वेभ्य: सर्वान् पालय नित्यदा,युधिष्ठिर! जो लोग अपने अन्तरंग हों, उनसे बाहरी लोगोंकी रक्षा करो और बाहरी लोगोंसे सदा अन्तरंग व्यक्तियोंको बचाओ। इसी प्रकार बाहरी व्यक्तियोंकी बाहरके लोगोंसे और समस्त आत्मीयजनोंकी आत्मीयोंसे सदा रक्षा करते रहो
āntarebhyaḥ parān rakṣan parebhyaḥ punar āntarān | parān parebhyaḥ svān svebhyaḥ sarvān pālaya nityadā, yudhiṣṭhira! ||
ビーシュマは言った。「ユディシュティラよ、内なる者から外なる者を守り、また外なる者から内なる者を守れ。同様に、外なる者を外なる者から守り、己が民を己が民から守れ。あらゆる方途により、常に万人を護持せよ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must practice vigilant, impartial protection: prevent harm caused by insiders against outsiders, prevent outsiders from harming insiders, and also restrain conflicts within each group. The ethical point is comprehensive guardianship—security and justice must operate in all directions, not merely against external threats.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising King Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance. This verse frames the king’s duty as continuous protection and regulation of relationships among inner associates, outsiders, and one’s own people, emphasizing prevention of abuse and factional harm.