Shloka 12
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
न होको भृत्यरहितो राजा भवति रक्षिता | राज्यं चेदं॑ जन: सर्वस्तत्कुलीनो$भिकांक्षति,सेवकोंके बिना अकेला राजा राज्यकी रक्षा नहीं कर सकता; क्योंकि उत्तम कुलमें उत्पन्न सभी लोग इस राज्यकी अभिलाषा करते हैं
na eko bhṛtyarahito rājā bhavati rakṣitā | rājyaṃ cedaṃ janaḥ sarvas tat-kulīno ’bhikāṅkṣati ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Seorang raja, jika dibiarkan tanpa pengiring dan hamba yang setia, tidak mampu menjadi pelindung seorang diri. Kerana seluruh rakyat—terutama yang berdarah bangsawan—menaruh keinginan terhadap kerajaan ini.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective protection and governance are not a solitary act: a king requires a dependable body of servants/retainers and institutional support. Power attracts claimants; therefore, safeguarding the realm demands organized loyalty and administration, not mere personal valor.
In the Śānti Parva’s discussion of rājadharma, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on practical governance. He notes that without attendants and loyal functionaries a ruler cannot secure the kingdom, since many people—especially influential, well-born groups—desire control over the state.