Shloka 19
Kāpavya-carita (कापव्यचरित) — Reforming Dasyus through Regulated Rāja-Dharma
सर्वतः सत्कृत: सद्धिर्भूतिप्रवरकारणै: । हृदयेना भ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं व्यवस्यति
sarvataḥ satkṛtaḥ sadbhir bhūtipravarakāraṇaiḥ | hṛdayenābhyanujñāto yo dharmas taṃ vyavasyati ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Dapat magpasiya nang matatag ang hari na isagawa ang dharma na pinararangalan sa lahat ng paraan ng mga banal—yaong mga pangunahing sanhi ng kasaganaan—at pinahihintulutan din ng sariling puso.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should adopt and practice the dharma that is (1) publicly honored by the virtuous—those who truly promote welfare—and (2) inwardly affirmed by the heart. Ethical governance rests on both wise social validation and sincere inner assent.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on how a king should choose a righteous course: by aligning with the standards of the good and with the approval of conscience.