Shloka 14
अध्याय ७२ — राजधर्मः: प्रजारक्षण, कर-नीति, दण्ड-नीति, अमात्य-नियोजन
Chapter 72 — Royal Duty: protection of subjects, taxation, punishment, and appointments
अपशास्त्रपरो राजा धर्मार्थान्नाधिगच्छति । अस्थाने चास्य तद् वित्त सर्वमेव विनश्यति,शास्त्रसे विपरीत चलनेवाला राजा न तो धर्मकी सिद्धि कर पाता है और न अर्थकी ही। यदि उसे धन मिल भी जाय तो वह सारा ही बुरे कामोंमें नष्ट हो जाता है
apāśāstraparo rājā dharmārthān nādhigacchati | asthāne cāsya tad vittaṁ sarvam eva vinaśyati ||
“O rei devotado ao que é não-śāstrico—que age contra o ensinamento correto—não alcança nem dharma nem artha. E mesmo que a riqueza lhe chegue, ela é desperdiçada em lugares impróprios e perece por completo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must be guided by śāstra (right teaching, disciplined counsel, and ethical norms). If he follows unśāstric ways, he fails in both dharma (moral legitimacy) and artha (stable prosperity). Even acquired wealth is wasted and ultimately ruined when spent in improper ways.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (the duties and conduct of kings). Here he warns that a king who rejects proper guidance cannot secure righteous order or lasting prosperity, and that misdirected wealth collapses through misuse.