Shloka 24
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
पौरजानपदान सर्वान् संश्रितोपश्ितांस्तथा | यथाशक्त्यनुकम्पेत सर्वान् स््वल्पधनानपि
paurajānāpadān sarvān saṁśritopaśritāṁs tathā | yathāśakty anukampeta sarvān svalpadhanān api ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Dapat magpakita ang hari ng habag, ayon sa kanyang makakaya, sa lahat ng taga-lungsod at taga-nayon—maging sila’y dumulog nang tuwiran upang magpasaklolo o dumaan sa isang tagapamagitan—kahit pa kakaunti lamang ang kanilang ari-arian. Tungkulin ng pinuno na kumupkop sa mahihina at tumugon sa mga panawagan ng pag-iingat nang walang kinikilingan batay sa katayuan o yaman.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is to protect and show compassion to all who seek refuge—city and village alike—without discriminating against the poor; mercy should be extended according to the king’s capacity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on governance, emphasizing that the king must respond kindly to subjects who come for protection, whether directly or through intermediaries.