Shloka 24
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
राज्ञो यदा जनपदे बहवो राजपूरुषा: | अनयेनोपवर्तन्ते तद् राज्ञ: किल्बिषं महत्,जब राजाके बहुत-से कर्मचारी देशमें अन्यायपूर्ण बर्ताव करने लगते हैं, तब वह महान् पाप राजाको ही लगता है
rājño yadā janapade bahavo rājapūruṣāḥ | anayenopavartante tad rājñaḥ kilbiṣaṃ mahat ||
乌塔提耶说道：当在国王的疆域之内，许多王家官吏以不义之道行事时，由此产生的重大罪业便算在国王自身。统治者对其权柄之下所发生的过失负有道德责任，尤其当这种不法在政务中蔓延成风之时。
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler is ethically accountable for systemic injustice committed by his officials; when wrongdoing becomes prevalent in the administration, the moral blame and demerit accrue primarily to the king who authorizes, appoints, and oversees them.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, the sage Utathya states a principle of governance: if many royal servants in the kingdom act unjustly, the king incurs great sin, emphasizing oversight and just administration as central royal duties.