Shloka 23
अध्याय ७२ — राजधर्मः: प्रजारक्षण, कर-नीति, दण्ड-नीति, अमात्य-नियोजन
Chapter 72 — Royal Duty: protection of subjects, taxation, punishment, and appointments
धनानि तेभ्यो दद्यास्त्वं यथाशक्ति यथा्हत: । सान्त्वयन् परिरक्षंश्न स्वर्गमाप्स्यसि दुर्जयम्
dhanāni tebhyo dadyāstvaṃ yathāśakti yathārhataḥ | sāntvayan parirakṣaṃś ca svargam āpsyasi durjayam, rājan |
بھیشم نے کہا—اے راجن! برہمنوں کو تسلی دیتے اور ان کی حفاظت کرتے ہوئے، اپنی استطاعت کے مطابق اور مناسب طریقے سے انہیں مال دیتے رہو۔ اس سے تم دشوار یاب سُورگ لوک کو حاصل کرو گے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should practice measured generosity—giving wealth in proportion to his means and in a manner appropriate to the recipients—while also offering reassurance and protection. Such dharmic governance yields spiritual merit culminating in the attainment of Svarga.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs the king on righteous rule. Here he urges the king to keep Brahmanas (and dependents) consoled and secure, and to support them with suitable gifts, presenting this as a concrete duty of kingship with promised heavenly reward.