Shloka 28
नरश्नेत्कृषिगोरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं चाप्यनुछित: । संशयं लभते किंचित् तेन राजा विगहति,मनुष्य यदि कृषि, गोरक्षा और वाणिज्य आरम्भ कर दे तथा चारों ओर लुतटेरोंके आक्रमणसे कुछ-कुछ प्राण-संशयकी-सी स्थितिमें पहुँच जाय तो इससे राजाकी बड़ी निन्दा होती है
Bhīṣma uvāca: naraś cet kṛṣigorakṣyavāṇijyaṃ cāpy anucitaḥ | saṃśayaṃ labhate kiñcit tena rājā vigarhyate ||
नरश्चेत्कृषिगोरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं चाप्यनुचितः । संशयं लभते किंचित् तेन राजा विगर्ह्यते ॥
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that public security is a primary duty of the king: if people fall into danger while pursuing livelihoods (farming, cattle-rearing, trade), the blame rests on the ruler for failing to provide protection and order.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma explains standards of good governance, stating that when subjects are forced into insecure conditions and face peril, it reflects a failure of kingship and invites censure of the king.