Shloka 17
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
एवं हि क्षत्रबन्धूनां मार्गमाहु: प्रधानतः । नास्य कृत्यतमं किंचिदन्यद् दस्युनिबर्हणात्
evaṁ hi kṣatrabandhūnāṁ mārgam āhuḥ pradhānataḥ | nāsya kṛtyatamaṁ kiñcid anyad dasyunibarhaṇāt ||
毗湿摩说道：“确然，对于刹帝利之属，这被宣示为最首要的道路：对他而言，没有任何职责比镇压并歼灭盗贼与无法之徒更为紧迫。虽说布施、学习与祭祀也能为君王带来福祉，但为护持秩序而起的战斗，对他们而言高于一切。因此，尤欲求法的国王，应当恒常备战。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that a king’s foremost dharma is the protection of society through the firm suppression of lawless violence (dasyus). While charity, Vedic study, and sacrifice are beneficial, the kshatriya’s primary obligation is maintaining order—even through battle—so that dharma can stand.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira about the proper conduct of kings. Here he emphasizes that readiness for war is not mere aggression but a necessary instrument of governance when used to restrain criminals and protect the realm.