Shloka 7
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
नहि राज्ञा प्रमादो वै कर्तव्यो मित्ररक्षणे | प्रमादिनं हि राजानं लोका: परिभवन्त्युत,राजाको अपने मित्रोंकी रक्षामें कभी असावधानी नहीं करनी चाहिये; क्योंकि असावधान राजाका सभी लोग तिरस्कार करते हैं
nahi rājñā pramādo vai kartavyo mitrarakṣaṇe | pramādinaṃ hi rājānaṃ lokāḥ paribhavanty uta ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: Seorang raja jangan sekali-kali cuai dalam memelihara dan melindungi sahabat serta sekutunya. Kerana apabila pemerintah menjadi lalai, rakyat akan hilang hormat dan terang-terangan memperlekeh kewibawaannya—meruntuhkan kehormatan dan pemerintahannya sekali gus.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes vigilant protection of friends and allies; negligence in this duty destroys respect and invites contempt, weakening sovereignty and moral authority.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises the king (Yudhiṣṭhira in context) that political stability and honor depend on careful, consistent safeguarding of allies; a careless king becomes socially and politically disregarded.