Shloka 24
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
ब्राह्मणाय च राज्ञे च सर्वा: परिददे प्रजा: । तस्य वृत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि यच्च तस्योपजीवनम्
brāhmaṇāya ca rājñe ca sarvāḥ paridadē prajāḥ | tasya vṛttiṃ pravakṣyāmi yac ca tasyopajīvanam ||
毗湿摩说道：“婆罗门与国王，被托付以护持并养育一切臣民。如今我将说明吠舍的职业——他应当以何为生，又凭何维持生计。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames social responsibility in dharma: the welfare of the people is placed under the guidance of the Brahmin (norms, teaching, counsel) and the king (governance, protection), and it introduces the next topic—defining the Vaishya’s rightful livelihood (vṛtti) as part of an ordered ethical society.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues his systematic exposition of duties by social role. After indicating that the care of the populace is entrusted to Brahmins and kings, he transitions to describe the Vaishya’s occupation and means of subsistence.