Shloka 16
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
गुणवन्तो महोत्साहा धर्मज्ञा: साधवश्च ये । संदधीत नृपस्तैश्न राष्ट्र धर्मेण पालयन्,जो गुणवान्, महान् उत्साही, धर्मज्ञ और साधु पुरुष हों, उन्हें सहयोगी बनाकर धर्मपूर्वक राष्ट्रकी रक्षा करनेवाला नरेश बलवान् राजाओंके साथ संधि स्थापित करे
guṇavanto mahotsāhā dharmajñāḥ sādhavaś ca ye | sandadhīta nṛpas tais tu rāṣṭraṃ dharmeṇa pālayan ||
जे गुणवान, महान उत्साही, धर्मज्ञ आणि साधू पुरुष असतील, त्यांना सहकारी करून, धर्माने राष्ट्राचे पालन करणाऱ्या राजाने बलवान राजांशी संधी प्रस्थापित करावी.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength should rest on dharmic governance and the support of virtuous, capable advisers; with such a foundation, forming alliances with strong rulers becomes a legitimate and effective means to protect the realm.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he advises the king on practical policy: appoint and rely on upright, energetic, dharma-knowing men, and then pursue treaties/alliances with powerful kings to secure the kingdom.