Shloka 55
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
जिनके भरण-पोषणका कोई उपाय न हो, उनके जीवननिर्वाहका प्रबन्ध करना, जिनके भरण-पोषणकी व्यवस्था राज्यकी ओरसे की गयी हो उनकी देखभाल करना, समयपर धनका दान करना, दुर्व्यसनमें आसक्त न होना आदि विविध विषयोंका उस ग्रन्थमें उल्लेख है ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | yeṣāṁ bharaṇa-poṣaṇasya kaścid upāyo na bhavati teṣāṁ jīvana-nirvāhasya prabandhaṁ kartum, yeṣāṁ bharaṇa-poṣaṇa-vyavasthā rājya-tas kṛtā teṣāṁ paripālanaṁ kartum, kāle dhana-dānaṁ kartum, durvyasaneṣu āsaktiṁ na kartum ity-ādi vividhān viṣayān sa granthaḥ upadiśati || tathā rāja-guṇāś caiva senāpati-guṇāś ca | kāraṇaṁ ca trivargasya guṇa-doṣās tathaiva ca ||
毗湿摩说道：“那部论典制定了许多切实的职责：为无以为生者筹措生计；监督并护佑那些由国家承担供养之人；于适当之时施财行善；并远离有害恶习之沉溺。它亦阐明君王与统帅所当具备的德性，并解释人生三大目标——达摩（dharma）、阿尔塔（artha）与迦摩（kāma）——的根基，以及其利与弊。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes concrete public welfare: ensuring livelihood for the helpless, caring for those supported by the state, giving charity at the right time, and maintaining personal discipline by avoiding destructive vices; alongside this, sound governance requires understanding the virtues of a king and commander and the proper pursuit of dharma, artha, and kāma with awareness of their benefits and dangers.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by summarizing what a political-ethical treatise teaches—practical administrative duties, leadership qualities, and the framework of the three aims of life—presenting them as guidance for righteous rule after the war.