Shloka 11
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
भव नस्त्वं महाराज राजेह शरदां शतम् | प्रजा: पालय धर्मेण यथेन्द्रस्त्रेदिवं तथा,“महाराज! आप सैकड़ों वर्षोतक हमारे राजा बने रहें। जैसे इन्द्र स्वर्गलोकका पालन करते हैं, उसी प्रकार आप भी धर्मपूर्वक अपनी प्रजाकी रक्षा करें'
bhava nas tvaṃ mahārāja rājendra śaradāṃ śatam | prajāḥ pālaya dharmeṇa yathendras tredivaṃ tathā ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O dakilang hari, panginoon ng mga hari, nawa’y manatili kang aming pinuno sa loob ng sandaang taglagas. Pangalagaan mo ang iyong mga nasasakupan ayon sa dharma, gaya ni Indra na nag-iingat sa kahariang makalangit.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a central principle of rājadharma: a king’s legitimacy and longevity are tied to righteous protection of the people. Governance is framed as guardianship—maintaining order and welfare through dharma, modeled on Indra’s protective role in heaven.
Vaiśampāyana voices a formal blessing and exhortation to the king: may he reign long (“a hundred autumns”) and rule by dharma, protecting his subjects as Indra protects the celestial realm. It functions as praise and a normative instruction on ideal kingship.