Shloka 17
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
धर्मज्ञानां धृतिमतां संग्रामेष्वपपलायिनाम् | राष्ट्र तु येडनुजीवन्ति ये तु राज्ञोडनुजीविन:,सर्वान् सुपरिणीतांस्तान् कारयेथा युधिष्ठिर । युधिष्ठिर! जो धर्मज्ञ, धैर्यवान् और संग्राममें कभी पीठ न दिखानेवाले शूरवीर हैं, जो राज्यमें रहकर जीविका चलाते हैं अथवा राजाके आश्रित रहकर जीते हैं तथा जो मन्त्रिगण और तटस्थवर्गके लोग हैं, वे सब तुम्हारी प्रशंसा करें या निन्दा, तुम्हें सबका सत्कार ही करना चाहिये
dharmajñānāṁ dhṛtimatāṁ saṅgrāmeṣv apapalāyinām | rāṣṭre tu ye ’nujīvanti ye tu rājño ’nujīvinaḥ, sarvān supariṇītāṁs tān kārayethā yudhiṣṭhira ||
ହେ ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର! ଯେମାନେ ଧର୍ମଜ୍ଞ, ଧୈର୍ୟବାନ୍ ଏବଂ ସଂଗ୍ରାମରେ କେବେ ପଳାୟନ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ; ଯେମାନେ ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ରହି ଜୀବିକା ଚାଲାନ୍ତି କିମ୍ବା ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଆଶ୍ରୟରେ ଜୀବନ ଧାରଣ କରନ୍ତି—ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ସୁଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଭାବେ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ କରି ଯଥୋଚିତ ସତ୍କାର କର।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma by honoring and properly supporting those who sustain the state—especially the dharma-knowing, steadfast, and courageous defenders, as well as those whose livelihood depends on the realm or the king. Respect and provision are presented as instruments of stable governance and moral legitimacy.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira after the war, giving practical counsel on how a king should treat key social and military groups. The verse emphasizes ensuring due honor and care for loyal, capable persons who serve or depend upon the kingdom.