Shloka 5
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
विधिं पप्रच्छ राज्यस्य सर्वलोकहिते रत: । प्रजानां सुखमन्विच्छन् धर्मशीलं बृहस्पतिम्
bhīṣma uvāca | vidhiṁ papraccha rājyasya sarvalokahite rataḥ | prajānāṁ sukham anvicchan dharmaśīlaṁ bṛhaspatim ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—सर्वलोकहितात तत्पर असलेल्या त्या राजाने राज्यकारभाराची योग्य विधी विचारली. प्रजेच्या सुखाची इच्छा धरून धर्मशील बृहस्पतीकडे जाऊन त्याने नीतिशास्त्राचे तत्त्व व व्यवहार—धर्मानुसार आणि लोककल्याणासाठी राज्य कसे चालवावे—याविषयी प्रश्न केला.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kingship is justified and guided by dharma: the ruler should seek the happiness and welfare of the people and therefore consult the wise about the proper methods of governance rather than ruling by impulse or self-interest.
Bhishma describes a king devoted to public welfare approaching the sage Brihaspati and formally asking him how to administer the kingdom according to proper rule and righteous conduct.