Shloka 19
Kāpavya-carita (कापव्यचरित) — Reforming Dasyus through Regulated Rāja-Dharma
सर्वतः सत्कृत: सद्धिर्भूतिप्रवरकारणै: । हृदयेना भ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं व्यवस्यति
sarvataḥ satkṛtaḥ sadbhir bhūtipravarakāraṇaiḥ | hṛdayenābhyanujñāto yo dharmas taṃ vyavasyati ||
毗湿摩说道：“国王当坚定决意奉行那样的法（dharma）：它为诸贤以种种方式所尊崇——诸贤乃兴盛之首要因缘——并且也为自身之心所认可。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should adopt and practice the dharma that is (1) publicly honored by the virtuous—those who truly promote welfare—and (2) inwardly affirmed by the heart. Ethical governance rests on both wise social validation and sincere inner assent.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on how a king should choose a righteous course: by aligning with the standards of the good and with the approval of conscience.