Shloka 12
आन्तरेभ्य: परान् रक्षन् परेभ्य: पुनरान्तरान् | परान् परेभ्य: स्वान् स्वेभ्य: सर्वान् पालय नित्यदा,युधिष्ठिर! जो लोग अपने अन्तरंग हों, उनसे बाहरी लोगोंकी रक्षा करो और बाहरी लोगोंसे सदा अन्तरंग व्यक्तियोंको बचाओ। इसी प्रकार बाहरी व्यक्तियोंकी बाहरके लोगोंसे और समस्त आत्मीयजनोंकी आत्मीयोंसे सदा रक्षा करते रहो
āntarebhyaḥ parān rakṣan parebhyaḥ punar āntarān | parān parebhyaḥ svān svebhyaḥ sarvān pālaya nityadā, yudhiṣṭhira! ||
आन्तरेभ्यः परान् रक्षन् परेभ्यः पुनरान्तरान् । परान् परेभ्यः स्वान् स्वेभ्यः सर्वान् पालय नित्यदा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must practice vigilant, impartial protection: prevent harm caused by insiders against outsiders, prevent outsiders from harming insiders, and also restrain conflicts within each group. The ethical point is comprehensive guardianship—security and justice must operate in all directions, not merely against external threats.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising King Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance. This verse frames the king’s duty as continuous protection and regulation of relationships among inner associates, outsiders, and one’s own people, emphasizing prevention of abuse and factional harm.