Shloka 29
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
एतेन च प्रकारेण कृत्यानामागतिं गतिम् । युक्त: समनुतिछेत तुष्टश्चारैरुपस्कृत:
etena ca prakāreṇa kṛtyānām āgatiṃ gatiṃ | yuktaḥ samanutiṣṭhet tuṣṭaś cārair upaskṛtaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“正是以此方式，洞察诸事之来去——其进程与结局——一位自律的国王应以恒常的警醒履行职责。让他内心知足安定，并凭借密探之网，知晓国中一切。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should execute state duties methodically, staying alert to how affairs arise and conclude, maintaining inner composure, and using intelligence networks (spies) to remain accurately informed—vigilance and informed action are presented as ethical necessities of rulership.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising the ruler on practical governance: understand the trajectory of matters, begin and complete tasks properly, keep a content and steady mind, and rely on trusted agents to know the kingdom’s conditions.