Shloka 54
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अभृतानां च भरणं भृतानां चान्ववेक्षणम् । अर्थस्य काले दानं च व्यसने चाप्रसज्धिता
abhṛtānāṃ ca bharaṇaṃ bhṛtānāṃ cānvavekṣaṇam | arthasya kāle dānaṃ ca vyasane cāprasajdhitā
毗湿摩说道：正直的居士之责，在于供养尚无人供养者，照拂已在己方庇护之人，于适当之时施与财物；而在灾厄之际，亦当心志不摇，不为祸患所缠。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines practical dharma as responsible care: provide for those who lack support, continue attentive oversight of dependents, give wealth as charity at the proper time, and maintain steady judgment without panic or moral compromise during adversity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma after the war, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on ethical governance and household conduct, listing concrete virtues that sustain social order—maintenance of dependents, vigilant care, timely generosity, and composure in crisis.