Shloka 19
स्वेषु धर्मेष्ववस्थाप्य प्रजा: सर्वा महीपति: । धर्मेण सर्वकृत्यानि शमनिष्ठानि कारयेत्,राजा समस्त प्रजाओंको अपने-अपने धर्मोमें स्थापित करके उनके द्वारा शान्तिपूर्ण समस्त कर्मोंका धर्मके अनुसार अनुष्ठान करावे
sveṣu dharmeṣv avasthāpya prajāḥ sarvā mahīpatiḥ | dharmeṇa sarvakṛtyāni śamanīṣṭhāni kārayet ||
เมื่อพระราชาทรงสถาปนาประชาทั้งปวงให้มั่นคงในหน้าที่ของตนแล้ว พึงทรงให้กิจจำเป็นทั้งหลายดำเนินไปตามธรรมะ ด้วยจิตแห่งความสงบและความสำรวม
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s primary ethical duty is to anchor society in each group’s rightful responsibilities (svadharma) and to administer all state actions through dharma, aiming at śamana—peace, restraint, and the calming of conflict—rather than arbitrary force.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs the king on rajadharma (the duties of rulership). Here he emphasizes orderly governance: the king should ensure subjects follow their proper duties and should direct all public affairs lawfully and in ways that promote social peace.