Shloka 24
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
पौरजानपदान सर्वान् संश्रितोपश्ितांस्तथा | यथाशक्त्यनुकम्पेत सर्वान् स््वल्पधनानपि,नगर और ग्रामके लोग यदि साक्षात् शरणमें आये हों या किसीको मध्यस्थ बनाकर उसके द्वारा शरणागत हुए हों, राजा उन सब स्वल्प धनवालोंपर भी अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार कृपा करे
paurajānāpadān sarvān saṁśritopaśritāṁs tathā | yathāśakty anukampeta sarvān svalpadhanān api ||
Disse Bhishma: O rei deve mostrar compaixão, na medida de suas forças, a todos os habitantes das cidades e das aldeias—quer tenham vindo buscar refúgio diretamente, quer o tenham pedido por intermédio de alguém—ainda que possuam apenas parcos bens. O dever do governante é abrigar os vulneráveis e atender aos apelos por proteção sem parcialidade por status ou recursos.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is to protect and show compassion to all who seek refuge—city and village alike—without discriminating against the poor; mercy should be extended according to the king’s capacity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on governance, emphasizing that the king must respond kindly to subjects who come for protection, whether directly or through intermediaries.