Shloka 19
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
यस्य नारतों जनपद: संनिकर्षगत: सदा । अक्षुद्र: सत्यथालम्बी स राजा राज्यभाग्भवेत्
yasya nārto janapadaḥ saṃnikarṣa-gataḥ sadā | akṣudraḥ satya-thālambī sa rājā rājya-bhāg bhavet ||
Bhishma berkata: Hanya raja itulah yang benar-benar layak mendapat bahagian dalam kedaulatan—yang negerinya tidak ditimpa kesengsaraan, rakyatnya sentiasa berada dalam jangkauan perlindungannya, yang tidak berfikiran sempit, dan yang teguh berdiri di atas kebenaran serta jalan yang benar.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler is legitimate only when he ensures the people are not distressed, keeps the realm securely within his protective governance, avoids petty-mindedness, and upholds truth and the righteous path; sovereignty is framed as a moral entitlement grounded in public welfare and integrity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma teaches Yudhishthira the standards of kingship, defining who truly deserves to rule by pointing to the condition of the subjects and the ruler’s character—closeness in protection, magnanimity, and steadfast truth.