Shloka 4
राजधर्मः—प्रजापालनं दानयज्ञश्च
Royal Duty—Protection of Subjects, Generosity, and Sacrificial Discipline
राज्ञा हि पूजितो धर्मस्तत: सर्वत्र पूज्यते । यद् यदाचरते राजा तत् प्रजानां सम रोचते
rājñā hi pūjito dharmas tataḥ sarvatra pūjyate | yad yad ācarate rājā tat prajānāṃ sama rocate ||
Apabila seorang raja memuliakan dharma, maka dharma itu dimuliakan di mana-mana. Kerana apa jua tingkah laku yang diambil oleh raja, itulah yang tampak baik dan patut diteladani oleh rakyat.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s personal reverence and practice of dharma sets the standard for society: when the king honors dharma, it gains authority everywhere, and the people naturally imitate the king’s conduct.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and righteousness, Bhishma advises the listener on rajadharma, emphasizing that the king’s behavior shapes public values and actions.