Shloka 10
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वंशोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Dynastic Counsel on Legitimate Rule
संधिविग्रहसंयुक्तो राज्ञां संवाहनक्रिया: । अवैक्षत महातेजा भीष्म: परपुरञ्जय:,“शत्रुनगरीको जीतनेवाले महातेजस्वी भीष्म संधि-विग्रहके कार्यमें संयुक्त हो राजाओंसे सेवा और कर आदि लेनेका काम सँभालते थे
sandhivigrahasaṁyukto rājñāṁ saṁvāhanakriyāḥ | avaikṣata mahātejā bhīṣmaḥ parapurañjayaḥ ||
Vāyu berkata: Dengan penguasaan dalam urusan persekutuan dan permusuhan, Bhīṣma yang perkasa—penakluk kubu musuh—mengawasi pentadbiran diraja, termasuk pengutipan khidmat, ufti, dan segala kewajipan lain daripada raja-raja naungan. Rangkap ini menekankan beban etika pemerintahan: kuasa bukan sekadar di medan perang, tetapi juga pada dasar yang teratur, tanggungjawab, dan pengurusan kewajipan secara berdisiplin dalam hierarki politik.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājanīti (political ethics): a ruler’s duty includes disciplined oversight of both peace (sandhi) and conflict (vigraha), and the just administration of obligations (service/tribute). Power is framed as responsibility—governance requires order, accountability, and strategic judgment.
Vāyudeva describes Bhīṣma’s role in the Kuru polity: Bhīṣma, famed for conquering enemy strongholds, is portrayed as supervising key functions of state—diplomacy/war policy and the management of subordinate kings’ services and dues—showing him as both warrior and administrator.