Shloka 34
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
यदा रक्षति राष्ट्राणि यदा दस्यूनपोहति । यदा जयति संग्रामे स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते,जब राजा समूचे राष्ट्रकी रक्षा करता है, डाकू और लुटेरोंको मार भगाता है तथा संग्राममें विजयी होता है, तब वह सब राजाका धर्म कहा जाता है
yadā rakṣati rāṣṭrāṇi yadā dasyūn apohati | yadā jayati saṅgrāme sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
Утатхья сказал: «Когда царь охраняет свои владения, изгоняет разбойников и грабителей и одерживает победу в битве, эти деяния провозглашаются дхармой царя».
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines rājadharma in practical terms: a king’s righteousness is shown by protecting the realm, suppressing criminal violence, and successfully defending the polity in war.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance, Utathya is explaining what counts as the king’s proper duty—public protection, removal of banditry, and victory in battle as part of maintaining order.