अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
सहायान् सतत कुर्याद् राजा भूतिपुरष्कृत: । तैश्व तुल्यो भवेद् भोगैश्छत्रमात्राज्याधिक:
bhīṣma uvāca | sahāyān satataṁ kuryād rājā bhūti-puraḥkṛtaḥ | taiś ca tulyo bhaved bhogaiś chatra-mātrājya-adhikaḥ ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—समृद्धीची इच्छा असलेला राजा नेहमी योग्य सहाय्यक नेमून त्यांना ऐश्वर्य देऊन सन्मानित करावा. भोग-सुविधांत तो त्यांच्या समान राहावा; फक्त राजछत्र आणि आज्ञाधिकार यातच तो अधिक असावा.
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler should secure prosperity by choosing steadfast, capable supporters and rewarding them generously; he should treat them as equals in comforts, retaining superiority only in the formal symbols and authority of kingship.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a king should manage and honor his aides: appoint worthy allies, keep them satisfied with shared benefits, and rely on respectful leadership rather than domination.