Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
कृत्वा सर्वाणि कार्याणि सम्यक् सम्पाल्य मेदिनीम् | पालयित्वा तथा पौरान् परत्र सुखमेधते,'सारे कर्तव्योंको पूरा करके पृथ्वीका अच्छी तरह पालन तथा नगर एवं राष्ट्रकी प्रजाका संरक्षण करनेसे राजा परलोकमें सुख पाता है
kṛtvā sarvāṇi kāryāṇi samyak sampālya medinīm | pālayitvā tathā paurān paratra sukham edhate ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Tendo cumprido devidamente todos os deveres da realeza—governando bem a terra e protegendo os habitantes das cidades e o povo do reino—um rei prospera em felicidade no mundo vindouro.”
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler’s dharma is to complete necessary duties and govern responsibly—protecting the land and the people; such righteous kingship yields spiritual merit and happiness in the hereafter.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (the duties of kings). Here he emphasizes that proper administration and protection of citizens lead to posthumous well-being.