Shloka 29
दुर्ग-निवेश-राजधर्मः | Fortified Capital and the King’s Residential Polity
Rājadharma
कैसी भी आपत्तिका समय क्यों न हो? राजाको तो तपस्वीपर विश्वास करना ही चाहिये; क्योंकि चोर और डाकू भी तपस्वी महात्माओंपर विश्वास करते हैं ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | tasmīn nidhīn ādadhīta prajñāṃ paryādadīta ca | na cāpy abhīkṣṇaṃ seveta bhṛśaṃ vā pratipūjayet |
Bhishma berkata: “Oleh itu, raja hendaklah mengamanahkan harta simpanan rahsianya kepada pertapa itu dan juga memohon nasihat daripadanya. Namun janganlah raja terlalu kerap berulang-alik, dan jangan pula memuliakannya secara berlebihan; sebaliknya, berkhidmat dan menghormatinya dengan penuh tertib secara tersembunyi, tanpa menonjolkannya di hadapan umum.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should rely on the wisdom and integrity of genuine ascetics for safeguarding wealth and receiving counsel, but must avoid conspicuous closeness or excessive public honor, which can create political suspicion, invite manipulation, or compromise both royal security and the ascetic’s independence.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises the king on how to relate to a tapasvī: entrust valuables and seek guidance, yet keep the relationship measured and discreet—service and respect should be real but not ostentatious.