Shloka 17
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
यस्य स्फीतो जनपद: सम्पन्न: प्रियराजक: । संतुष्टभृत्यसचिवो दृढमूल: स पार्थिव:
yasya sphīto janapadaḥ sampannaḥ priyarājakaḥ | santuṣṭabhṛtyasacivo dṛḍhamūlaḥ sa pārthivaḥ ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಯಾವ ರಾಜನ ಜನಪದವು ಸಮೃದ್ಧವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಧನಧಾನ್ಯದಿಂದ ಸಂಪನ್ನವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಿಯರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಭಕ್ತರಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಅವನ ಭೃತ್ಯರೂ ಸಚಿವರೂ ತೃಪ್ತರಾಗಿರುವರೋ—ಅವನೇ ದೃಢಮೂಲನು, ಸ್ಥಿರರಾಜ್ಯವಂತನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾನೆ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s stability rests on two pillars: the prosperity of the realm and the contentment of those who serve in governance. When subjects thrive and officials are satisfied, the rule is 'firm-rooted'—secure and aligned with rajadharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma. Here he describes the marks of a well-established ruler: a flourishing country, loyal subjects, and satisfied ministers and retainers.