Shloka 18
मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship
नित्ययुक्ताश्न ते भृत्या भवन्तु रणकोविदा: । वाजिनां च प्रयोगेषु वैशारद्यमिहेष्यते
nityayuktāśn te bhṛtyā bhavantu raṇakovidāḥ | vājīnāṃ ca prayogeṣu vaiśāradyam iheṣyate ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Biarlah para pembantumu sentiasa berdisiplin, tekun menjalankan tugas tanpa lalai, dan mahir dalam seni peperangan. Dalam mengendalikan serta menggunakan kuda juga hendaklah dicari kepakaran—agar khidmat dan kesiapsiagaanmu tidak pernah didapati kurang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should ensure continuous discipline and professional competence among attendants—especially in warfare and the practical management of horses—so that governance and defense rest on trained readiness rather than improvisation.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs the king on principles of governance and security. Here he emphasizes maintaining a well-trained retinue, including expertise in cavalry-related skills, as part of responsible rule.