Shloka 56
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
अर्थसंनिचयं कुर्याद् राजा परबलार्दित: । तैलं वसा मधु घृतमौषधानि च सर्वश:
artha-sannicayaṁ kuryād rājā para-balārditaḥ | tailaṁ vasā madhu ghṛtam auṣadhāni ca sarvaśaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“当国王为敌军所逼迫时，应当积聚财帛，并广为储备必需之物——油脂、膏腴、蜂蜜、酥油（ghṛta）以及各类药材——以便救治伤者，并支撑王国的防御。其义在于有备：君主之责不在鲁莽逞勇，而在审慎供给，于危难之际护生保序。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler facing military pressure must act with foresight: accumulate wealth and maintain reserves of essential supplies—especially medical provisions—so that the wounded can be treated and the realm can endure crisis. Prudence and protection of life are presented as key duties of kingship.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on practical governance during wartime. Here he specifies what a king should stockpile when threatened by an enemy army, emphasizing resources and medical necessities.