Shloka 137
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
यो<स्य वै मुखमद्राक्षीत् सौम्यं सोडस्य वशानुग:ः । सुभगं चार्थवन्तं च रूपवन्तं च पश्यति,जिसने राजाका सौम्य मुख देख लिया, वह उसके अधीन हो गया। प्रत्येक मनुष्य राजाको सौभाग्यशाली, धनवान् और रूपवान् देखता है
yo 'sya vai mukham adrākṣīt saumyaṁ so 'ḍasya vaśānugaḥ | subhagaṁ cārthavantaṁ ca rūpavantaṁ ca paśyati ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Quem uma vez contempla o rosto suave e agradável do rei torna-se sujeito ao seu domínio. Para tal pessoa, o rei parece afortunado, próspero e belo—sua própria presença molda o modo como os homens julgam seu valor e sua autoridade.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how royal authority is reinforced not only by law or force but also by perception: a king’s gracious appearance can draw people into willing compliance, making them attribute fortune, wealth, and beauty to him.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma explains to the listener how subjects commonly respond to a king—how merely seeing the king’s pleasing countenance can create loyalty and the belief that he is inherently auspicious and prosperous.