अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
आरब्धान्येव कार्याणि सुपर्यवसितानि च । यस्य सज्ञः प्रदृश्यन्ति स राजा राजसत्तम:
ārabdhāny eva kāryāṇi suparyavasitāni ca | yasya saṃjñāḥ pradṛśyante sa rājā rājasattamaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道:那位最上之王,必能使人清楚看见他既能着手应办之事,又能将其善加完成——其行止于始有决断,于终有恒定。
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler’s excellence is recognized by two visible traits: initiating rightful duties without delay and completing them well. Effective kingship requires both resolve to begin and perseverance to finish.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is describing the observable marks of an exemplary king, emphasizing practical governance—undertaking necessary works and bringing them to successful completion.