Shloka 57

Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)

Devanagari script

अज्जरकुशमुज्जानां पलाशशरवर्णिनाम्‌ | यवसेन्धनदिग्धानां कारयीत च संचयान्‌

Transliteration

ajjarakuśam ujjānāṁ palāśaśaravarṇinām | yavasendhanadigdhānāṁ kārayīta ca saṁcayān ||

Translation

毗湿摩说道：当国王为敌军所侵扰逼迫之时，应当审慎积聚财宝与一切要需之物，以备不虞。又当预先备置疗治伤者之储藏——油、脂、蜜、酥油（ghee）及诸般药物——并兼收实用之材，如阿尔迦草木（arka）、库沙草（kuśa）、蒙阇草（muñja）、波罗沙木（palāśa）、箭矢与草料；亦包括涂以燃料、可点燃发射之火箭。如此，国土方能承受如围城般之重压，并于战事中有效应对。

Word by Word

• अज्जरकुशमुञ्जानाम्: of ajjara, kuśa-grass, and muñja-grass
• अज्जरकुशमुञ्जानाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज्जर + कुश + मुञ्ज
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• पलाशशरवर्णिनाम्: of those having the color of palāśa and arrows
• पलाशशरवर्णिनाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पलाश + शर + वर्णिन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• यवसेन्धनदिग्धानाम्: of those smeared/treated with grass and fuel (i.e., fire-hardened/treated items)
• यवसेन्धनदिग्धानाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यवस + इन्धन + दिग्ध
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• कारयीत: should cause (to be made/done)
• कारयीत: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (णिच्)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada, true

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• संचयान्: collections, stockpiles
• संचयान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: संचय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• king (rājā)
• enemy army (śatru-senā)
• arka
• kuśa
• muñja
• palāśa
• arrows (śara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler’s dharma in wartime includes foresight and preparedness: maintaining reserves of wealth and essential materials, and ensuring medical supplies for the wounded, so the kingdom can withstand enemy pressure and protect its people.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhishma advises the king on practical measures during military threat—organizing stockpiles of provisions, materials, and treatment resources, including items useful for defense and battlefield needs.