Shloka 4
Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)
मधुदोहं दुह्ेद् राष्ट्र भ्रमरा इव पादपम् । वत्सापेक्षी दुहेच्चैव स्तनांश्व न विकुट्टयेत्,जैसे भौंरा धीरे-धीरे फूल एवं वृक्षका रस लेता है, वृक्षको काटता नहीं है, जैसे मनुष्य बछड़ेको कष्ट न देकर धीरे-धीरे गायको दुहता है, उसके थनोंको कुचल नहीं डालता है, उसी प्रकार राजा कोमलताके साथ ही राष्ट्ररूपी गौका दोहन करे, उसे कुचले नहीं
bhīṣma uvāca | madhudohaṃ duhed rāṣṭraṃ bhramarā iva pādapam | vatsāpekṣī duhec caiva stanāṃś ca na vikuṭṭayet ||
Бхишма сказал: «Пусть царь извлекает доход из царства, как пчела берет нектар с дерева — мягко, не причиняя вреда. И как доят корову, помня о теленке, не ушибая и не сдавливая сосков, так и правитель должен “доить” царство с кротостью и умеренностью, никогда не угнетая его».
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler may take resources from the kingdom (taxes, service, produce) only in a measured, non-injurious way—like a bee taking nectar without damaging the tree, or a careful milker who does not hurt the cow. State extraction must preserve the people’s capacity to live and prosper.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a king should treat his realm. Using two everyday similes—bee and milking—he warns against harsh taxation and oppressive governance, urging gentle, sustainable rule.