Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 123

राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः

Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration

रक्षाभ्यधिकृता नाम तेभ्यो रक्षेदिमा: प्रजा: । उस निरीक्षकका कोई गुप्तचर राष्ट्रमें घूमता रहे और सभासद्‌ आदिके कार्य एवं मनोभावको जानकर उसके पास सारा समाचार पहुँचाता रहे। रक्षाके कार्यमें नियुक्त हुए अधिकारी लोग प्राय: हिंसक स्वभावके हो जाते हैं। वे दूसरोंकी बुराई चाहने लगते हैं और शठतापूर्वक पराये धनका अपहरण कर लेते हैं। ऐसे लोगोंसे वह सर्वार्थचिन्तक अधिकारी इस सारी प्रजाकी रक्षा करे

rakṣābhyadhikṛtā nāma tebhyo rakṣed imāḥ prajāḥ |

毗湿摩言:“凡受命掌护卫者,实当护此众民——甚至要护之免受其上所置之人侵害。宜立一位谨慎的巡察官,使密探往来国中,察知议臣及诸官之作为与心意,悉数回报。盖从事守卫之官,多易性情暴戾;渐生害人之念,并以诡诈夺取他人财物。故当由通盘筹虑之总监,使百姓尽得保全,免遭此辈之害。”

रक्षाभ्यधिकृताःappointed for protection / entrusted with guarding
रक्षाभ्यधिकृताः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootरक्षा + अधिकृत (कृ धातु, क्त)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
नामindeed / namely
नाम:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootनाम
तेभ्यःfrom them
तेभ्यः:
Apadana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Ablative, Plural
रक्षेत्should protect
रक्षेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootरक्ष्
FormOptative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
इमाःthese
इमाः:
Karma
TypePronoun (Demonstrative)
Rootइदम्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural
प्रजाःsubjects / people
प्रजाः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootप्रजा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
P
prajāḥ (the subjects/people)
R
rakṣābhyadhikṛtāḥ (security/protection officers)

Educational Q&A

Even those appointed to protect can become oppressive; therefore the ruler must institute oversight (including discreet intelligence) so that the people are protected not only from external threats but also from corrupt security officials.

In Bhishma’s instruction on kingship (rajadharma), he warns that security officers may turn violent and predatory; he advises appointing a vigilant superintendent who uses secret agents to monitor officials’ actions and intentions and thereby safeguard the populace.