Shloka 12
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
आदावेव कुरुश्रेष्ठ राज्ञा रञज्जनकाम्यया । देवतानां द्विजानां च वर्तितव्यं यथाविधि
ādāveva kuruśreṣṭha rājñā rañjanakāmyayā | devatānāṃ dvijānāṃ ca vartitavyaṃ yathāvidhi ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “O pinakamainam sa mga Kuru, mula pa sa simula, ang isang hari—na may hangaring pasayahin ang mga nasasakupan at makamit ang kanilang loob—ay dapat kumilos ayon sa itinakda ng śāstra sa mga diyos at sa mga dvija (mga ‘dalawang ulit isinilang’): magsagawa ng wastong pagsamba sa mga diyos at magbigay ng nararapat na paggalang at pagtangkilik sa mga Brahmana.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy and the happiness of the people are grounded in disciplined, scripturally guided conduct—especially proper worship of the deities and respectful support of Brahmins. This establishes moral order (dharma) and fosters public trust.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhīṣma advises the Kuru prince (Yudhiṣṭhira) on the foundational practices of rulership, emphasizing that the king should begin his reign by following prescribed religious and social duties toward gods and Brahmins to secure the people’s contentment.