Shloka 83
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
धान्यहैरण्यभोगेन भोक्तुं राष्ट्रिससज्भत: । सहस्र गाँवका श्रेष्ठ अधिपति एक शाखानगर (कस्बे)-की आय पानेका अधिकारी है। उस कस्बेमें जो अन्न और सुवर्णकी आय हो, उसके द्वारा वह इच्छानुसार उपभोग कर सकता है। उसे राष्ट्रवासियोंक साथ मिलकर रहना चहिये
dhānya-hairaṇya-bhogena bhoktuṁ rāṣṭraiḥ sa saṁbhataḥ | sahasra-grāma-kāḥ śreṣṭhaḥ adhipatiḥ eka-śākhā-nagara-(kasba)-kī āya-pāne ’dhikārī hai | us kasbe meṁ jo anna aura suvarṇa kī āya ho, uske dvārā vaha icchānusāra upabhoga kara sakatā hai | use rāṣṭra-vāsiyoṁ ke sātha milakara rahanā cāhiye ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Ang pangunahing pinunong panlalawigan—yaong nakatalaga sa isang libong nayon—ay dapat magkaroon ng karapatang tumanggap ng kita mula sa iisang bayan. Mula sa kita ng bayang iyon sa butil at ginto, maaari niyang tustusan ang sarili at makinabang ayon sa nararapat sa kanyang katayuan. Ngunit dapat siyang mamuhay nang may pagkakasundo sa mga tao ng kaharian, nakikiisa sa kanila at hindi nakahiwalay.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
An official’s material entitlement (revenue in grain and gold) is legitimate when bounded by dharma: it should be tied to a defined jurisdiction and accompanied by social responsibility—living in harmony with the populace rather than exploiting or alienating them.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma outlines administrative norms: a chief overseeing a large rural unit (a thousand villages) is assigned the income of a township for maintenance, but is instructed to remain cooperative and integrated with the kingdom’s people.