Shloka 4
राजधर्मः, दण्डनीतिः, कर्तृत्व-विचारः च
Royal Duty, Lawful Discipline, and the Question of Agency
तत् प्रमाणं ब्राह्मणानां शाश्व॒तं भरतर्षभ । तस्य धर्मस्य कृत्स्नस्य क्षत्रिय: परिरक्षिता,भरतश्रेष्ठ] वह सनातन तप ब्राह्मणोंके लिये प्रमाणभूत धर्म है। क्षत्रिय तो उस सम्पूर्ण ब्राह्मण-धर्मकी रक्षा करनेवाला ही है
tat pramāṇaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ śāśvataṃ bharatarṣabha | tasya dharmasya kṛtsnasya kṣatriyaḥ parirakṣitā ||
Vyāsa berkata: “Wahai permata kaum Bharata, inilah piawaian yang kekal bagi kaum Brahmana. Dan Kṣatriya pula ialah penjaga yang melindungi keseluruhan dharma Brahmana itu.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a complementary social-ethical relationship: Brahmins uphold and define the enduring normative standard (pramāṇa) of dharma, while Kshatriyas are tasked with protecting that dharma in its entirety—through governance, enforcement, and defense—so that the moral order can function.
In the Shānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and governance, Vyāsa addresses a Bharata ruler and explains the division of responsibilities: the Brahminical standard of dharma is presented as perennial, and the Kshatriya’s duty is described as safeguarding that comprehensive dharma.