Shloka 14
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
शणं सर्जरसं धान्यमायुधानि शरांस्तथा । चर्म स्नायुं तथा वेत्रं मुजजबल्वजबन्धनान्
bhīṣma uvāca | śaṇaṁ sarjarasaṁ dhānyam āyudhāni śarāṁs tathā | carma snāyuṁ tathā vetraṁ muñjabalvajabandhanān ||
Bhishma berkata: “Hendaklah dia menyimpan simpanan bahan-bahan asas yang mencukupi—serat rami dan damar; bijirin serta bekalan; senjata dan anak panah; kulit, urat, dan rotan; serta tali yang dibuat daripada rumput muñja dan balvaja. Kesiapsiagaan demikian menegakkan ketertiban dan perlindungan, agar seseorang dapat menunaikan kewajipan tanpa panik atau kezaliman apabila bahaya atau keperluan muncul.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that responsible leadership and household/state management require foresight: maintaining stores of provisions, materials, and defensive equipment so that one can fulfill protective duties (dharma) steadily, without resorting to unjust measures in times of crisis.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Bhishma enumerates practical items to be kept in reserve—fibres, resin, grain, weapons, and binding materials—framing preparedness as part of righteous administration and protection.