Shloka 125
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
तेन धर्मोत्तरश्चायं कृतो लोको महात्मना । रंजिताश्च प्रजा: सर्वास्तेन राजेति शब्द्यते
tena dharmottaraś cāyaṃ kṛto loko mahātmanā | rañjitāś ca prajāḥ sarvās tena rājeti śabdyate ||
Sa pamamagitan ng dakilang-kaloob na iyon, ang daigdig na ito’y ginawang inuuna ang Dharma. At sapagkat kanyang pinasaya at inangkin ang loob ng lahat ng nasasakupan, kaya siya tinawag na “rājā” (hari).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true king is defined by two ethical achievements: establishing Dharma as the highest priority in society and actively securing the welfare and contentment of all subjects; the title “rājā” is justified by the ruler’s ability to ‘please/benefit’ (rañjayati) the people.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, characterizes the ideal ruler: a great-souled king who makes Dharma predominant in the realm and keeps the populace satisfied, hence earning the designation ‘king’.