Shloka 29
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
एतेन च प्रकारेण कृत्यानामागतिं गतिम् । युक्त: समनुतिछेत तुष्टश्चारैरुपस्कृत:,इस प्रकार राजा सदा सावधान रहकर राज्यके प्रत्येक कार्यका आरम्भ और समाप्ति करे। मनमें संतोष रखे और गुप्तचरोंकी सहायतासे राष्ट्रकी सारी बातें जानता रहे
etena ca prakāreṇa kṛtyānām āgatiṃ gatiṃ | yuktaḥ samanutiṣṭhet tuṣṭaś cārair upaskṛtaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Sa ganitong paraan, matapos maunawaan ang pagdating at pag-alis—ang takbo at kahihinatnan—ng mga gawain, ang isang haring may disiplina ay dapat gumanap ng tungkulin nang may matatag na pagbabantay. Panatilihin niya ang kapanatagan sa loob, at sa tulong ng isang hanay ng mga espiya, manatiling may alam sa lahat ng nagaganap sa kaharian.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should execute state duties methodically, staying alert to how affairs arise and conclude, maintaining inner composure, and using intelligence networks (spies) to remain accurately informed—vigilance and informed action are presented as ethical necessities of rulership.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising the ruler on practical governance: understand the trajectory of matters, begin and complete tasks properly, keep a content and steady mind, and rely on trusted agents to know the kingdom’s conditions.