Shloka 4
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
मधुदोहं दुह्ेद् राष्ट्र भ्रमरा इव पादपम् । वत्सापेक्षी दुहेच्चैव स्तनांश्व न विकुट्टयेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | madhudohaṃ duhed rāṣṭraṃ bhramarā iva pādapam | vatsāpekṣī duhec caiva stanāṃś ca na vikuṭṭayet ||
Bhishma berkata: “Hendaklah raja menarik hasil dari negeri seperti lebah menghisap madu dari pohon—dengan lembut, tanpa merosakkannya. Dan seperti orang memerah susu lembu dengan mengambil kira anak lembu, tanpa mencederakan atau menghimpit putingnya, demikianlah pemerintah harus ‘memerah’ kerajaan dengan kelembutan dan kesederhanaan, jangan sekali-kali menindas.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler may take resources from the kingdom (taxes, service, produce) only in a measured, non-injurious way—like a bee taking nectar without damaging the tree, or a careful milker who does not hurt the cow. State extraction must preserve the people’s capacity to live and prosper.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a king should treat his realm. Using two everyday similes—bee and milking—he warns against harsh taxation and oppressive governance, urging gentle, sustainable rule.