Shanti Parva 65.4
Rahular Itihasa / M. N. Dutt · Shanti Parva Chapter 65 · Verse 4
Sanskrit Original
सामान्यार्थे व्यवहारे प्रवृत्ते प्रियाप्रिये वर्जयन्नेव यत्नात्। चातुर्वर्ण्यस्थापनात् पालनाच्च तैस्तैर्योगैर्नियमैरौरसैश्च॥ सर्वोद्योगैराश्रमं धर्ममाहुः क्षात्रं श्रेष्ठं सर्वधर्मोपपन्नम्। स्वं स्वं धर्मं येन चरन्ति वर्णा स्तांस्तान्धर्मानन्यथार्थान् वदन्ति॥
While settling the question of right (between) his subjects, he should be perfectly impartial. For making the various orders follow their respective duties, for the protection they give to all, for the various contrivances and means and the prowess and exertion Kshatriya duties, which embrace all other duties, are said to be the highest. The other orders are able to follow their respective duties for kingly duties. Therefore the former depend upon the latter regarding the merit they produce.