Shloka 21
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
कुरुनन्दन! तुम सभी कार्योंमें सरलता एवं कोमलताका अवलम्बन करना, परंतु नीतिशास्त्रकी आलोचनासे यह ज्ञात होता है कि अपने छिद्र, अपनी मन्त्रणा तथा अपने कार्य-यकौशल--इन तीन बातोंको गुप्त रखनेमें सरलताका अवलम्बन करना उचित नहीं है ।।
kurunandana! tvaṁ sarvakāryeṣu saralatāṁ ca mṛdutāṁ cāvalambasva; nītiśāstrālocanayā tu jñāyate—svacchidraṁ svamantraṇāṁ svakārya-yakauśalaṁ ca, etāni trīṇi guhyāni kartum saralatā na yuktā. mṛdur hi rājā satataṁ laṅghyo bhavati sarvaśaḥ; tīkṣṇāc codvijate lokas tasmād ubhayam āśraya.
毗湿摩说：“库鲁的后裔啊，一切事务上大体应依正直与温和。然而政略之学的审察表明：在隐匿三事上，不可过于‘单纯’——自己的弱点、自己的谋议（mantra），以及执行计策的实际手腕。因为君王若恒常温柔，便处处易被轻慢，号令也被违犯；但若唯以严酷治之，众人又将惊惧而怨恨。故当随事势所需，兼取温和与严厉。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should balance gentleness with necessary severity. Straightforwardness is good in general conduct, but not in matters that must remain confidential—one’s vulnerabilities, strategic counsel, and operational skill—because excessive softness invites disobedience while excessive harshness alienates the people.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira principles of governance after the war, emphasizing practical political wisdom: maintain public benevolence, but protect state secrets and enforce authority with measured firmness.