Shloka 13
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
आत्मवांश्व जितक्रोध: शास्त्रार्थकृतनि श्चय: । धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च सततं रत:
bhīṣma uvāca | ātmavāñ jita-krodhaḥ śāstrārtha-kṛta-niścayaḥ | dharme cārthe ca kāme ca mokṣe ca satataṃ rataḥ |
毗湿摩说：“唯有能自制其心、克胜忿怒，并以理致而得对经典义理之坚固定见者，方堪为王；又当恒常勤修正当之道：达摩、阿尔塔（富庶）、迦摩（正当之乐）与莫克沙（解脱）。如此的统治者应通晓吠陀，并谨慎言辞，不泄露密议。对君王而言，莫大之罪，莫过于不能护佑其民。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy rests on inner discipline and ethical competence: mastery over self and anger, clear understanding of śāstra, steady commitment to the four aims of life, and guarded counsel. Above all, the king’s paramount duty is protection of the people; neglecting it is the gravest royal sin.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhishma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, describing the qualifications of a king and emphasizing that the central responsibility of sovereignty is safeguarding the subjects; failure in protection is condemned as the greatest fault.