Shloka 123
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
उनके राज्यमें किसीको बुढ़ापा, दुर्भिक्ष तथा आधि-व्याधिका कष्ट नहीं था। राजाकी ओरसे रक्षाकी समुचित व्यवस्था होनेके कारण वहाँ कभी किसीको सर्पों, चोरों तथा आपसके लोगोंसे भय नहीं प्राप्त होता था ।।
āpasta-stambhire cāsya samudram abhiyāsyataḥ | parvatāś ca dadur mārgaṁ dhvaja-bhaṅgaś ca nābhavat ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Sa kanyang kaharian, walang sinumang dumanas ng hirap ng katandaan, taggutom, o mga sakit ng isip at katawan. Sapagkat inayos ng hari ang nararapat na pag-iingat at pagprotekta, walang sinuman doon ang nabuhay sa takot sa mga ahas, magnanakaw, o sa mga taong may masamang loob sa loob mismo ng pamayanan. At kapag siya’y naglalakbay sa ibabaw ng dagat, ang tubig nito’y tumitigil at nagiging payapa; ang mga bundok ay nagbibigay sa kanya ng daan; at ang watawat sa kanyang karwahe ay hindi kailanman nabali—mga tanda ng pamumunong matuwid at maayos na wari’y pati kalikasan ay nakikiayon.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the ideal of rājadharma: a king’s foremost duty is effective protection and just governance, resulting in freedom from fear, social stability, and public well-being; such righteousness is portrayed as so potent that it brings harmony even in the natural world.
Bhīṣma is describing a model ruler whose kingdom is free from common calamities and dangers. He then adds hyperbolic-epic signs of that ruler’s extraordinary fortune and merit: the sea calms as he travels, mountains open a route, and his chariot’s banner never breaks.