Shloka 28
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
नरश्नेत्कृषिगोरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं चाप्यनुछित: । संशयं लभते किंचित् तेन राजा विगहति
Bhīṣma uvāca: naraś cet kṛṣigorakṣyavāṇijyaṃ cāpy anucitaḥ | saṃśayaṃ labhate kiñcit tena rājā vigarhyate ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Jika seseorang, walaupun tidak wajar baginya, mengambil upah pertanian, perlindungan ternakan dan perdagangan, lalu kerana itu terjerumus walau sedikit pun ke dalam bahaya dan ketidakamanan (seperti terdedah kepada serbuan perompak dan keganasan), maka raja dicela kerananya. Kerana menjadi kewajipan pemerintah memastikan perlindungan dan ketertiban, agar rakyat dapat menjalankan mata pencarian yang layak tanpa rasa takut.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that public security is a primary duty of the king: if people fall into danger while pursuing livelihoods (farming, cattle-rearing, trade), the blame rests on the ruler for failing to provide protection and order.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma explains standards of good governance, stating that when subjects are forced into insecure conditions and face peril, it reflects a failure of kingship and invites censure of the king.