Shloka 34
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
दयिताश्च नरास्ते स्युर्भक्तिमन्तो द्विजेषु ये । न कोश: परमोडन््यो<स्ति राज्ञां पुरुषसंचयात्
dayitāś ca narās te syur bhaktimanto dvijeṣu ye | na kośaḥ paramo 'nyo 'sti rājñāṃ puruṣa-saṃcayāt ||
Sabi ni Bhishma: “Ang mga taong may debosyon sa mga ‘dalawang ulit na isinilang’ (mga Brahmin) ay nagiging mahal sa lahat. Para sa mga hari, walang kayamanang higit kaysa sa pagtipon at pagpapanatili ng gayong mararangal na tao—sapagkat ang tunay na yaman ng pinuno ay nasa sambayanang tapat at nakaayon sa dharma, hindi lamang sa naimbak na salapi.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s greatest ‘treasury’ is not gold but people: cultivating and retaining dharmic, loyal subjects—especially those who honor the learned and the Brahminical order—creates stability, goodwill, and righteous governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising the ruler on the foundations of successful kingship, emphasizing social-religious reverence and the strategic value of assembling virtuous supporters.