Shloka 17
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
यस्य स्फीतो जनपद: सम्पन्न: प्रियराजक: । संतुष्टभृत्यसचिवो दृढमूल: स पार्थिव:
yasya sphīto janapadaḥ sampannaḥ priyarājakaḥ | santuṣṭabhṛtyasacivo dṛḍhamūlaḥ sa pārthivaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：若一位国王的国土昌盛、资财丰饶，百姓爱戴而忠于其所敬爱的君主，且臣仆与大臣皆心满意足，则此王可谓根基牢固。政务使群臣安分、民生使众庶富足，正是依止达摩而稳固的王权之征兆。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s stability rests on two pillars: the prosperity of the realm and the contentment of those who serve in governance. When subjects thrive and officials are satisfied, the rule is 'firm-rooted'—secure and aligned with rajadharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma. Here he describes the marks of a well-established ruler: a flourishing country, loyal subjects, and satisfied ministers and retainers.