THE BOOK OF PEACE- SHANTIPARVA

Shantiparva or The Book of Peace is the 12th and the longest parva of the Mahabharata. Shantiparva of Mahabharata has its significance because of its political ideas. It is known as the wisdom literature which includes treaties on topics like kinship, metaphysics, geography and mythology. It is the set of instructions given to King Yudhisthira by Great Bhishma on various treaties such as duties of a king and his rule, governance system, dharma, rights, justice, prosperity and welfare of the people, moksha, etc. The book establishes the principles of origin of monarchy, mantra parishad , kar vyavastha and the duties of different organs of government are described in this book. The significance of Shantiparva particularly lies in the sub-parva of rajdharma. Shantiparva explains the reasons that lead to the growth of state and kingship where morality has been given a high value and the king has been considered the guardian of morality and dharma. It provides an idea of how political philosophy and high ideals can lead to good governance. 

At the end of Mahabharata war, between Pandavas and Kauravas, Yudhisthira was very dejected at the death of his elders, brothers, relatives and loved ones. He was lamented so much that he has decided to renounce everything and move to forest and live there. Various Great sages like Rishi Vyasa, Narad Muni, Devala, and Lord Hari himself counsel him to give up such dejection and rule the kingdom of Hastinapur with the code of Dharma, considering that his duty. 

Shantiparva consists of 365 chapters and 13,716 numbers of Shlokas, which is further divided into three sub-parvas:

Rajadharma [4716 shlokas], describes the duties of king and his governance.

Apaddharma [1649 shlokas], describes the rules of conduct when one faces adversity.

Mokshadharma [7351 shlokas], describes behavior and rules to achieve moksha i.e., emancipation, release and freedom.

The Mahabharata has been the source of spiritual strength to the people of India. According to Vedvyasa the epic is intended to be a treatise on life itself, including Dharma and ethics, polity and government, philosophy and the pursuit of salvations. In the Mahabharata among all the parva, Shantiparva is more relevant because this parva deals with duties of the king and the obligations of the subject, which is known as Rajadharma. It provides a theory of state which is remarkable for the age as it deals with the fundamental questions as the importance of the state and the science of politics, the origin of the state, the functions of the government, welfare state, obligation etc. the king is vested with the authority and power of governance, the true sovereignty belongs to dharma, not to king. The Mahabharata states it again and again that in all the acts of the governance, the goal is king or the state is the protection of the people. Protection supports the world, protected people prosper, prospering they endow the king in turn. The text or sloka says;

Dharmo Yat raja rakshati prajah Bhutanam hiyatha dharmo rakshanamparma daya||

In other words, protecting of all living being with kindness towards them is the highest Dharma.

According to Yudhisthir, rajadharma is refuse of all creatures and not the threefold end of live, but salvation itself is depends upon them. Dharma is the fundamental principle of human conduct. The king upholding dharma is the very epitome of the ethical conduct. The creatures are grounded in the king and the king who tightly upholds the dharma is indeed a righteous king.  

To conclude, the Rajadharma of the Shantiparva reflects ancient Indian culture and tradition and highlights the duties essential to be performed by the king. The basic idea behind all these teachings by Bhishima was to prepare Yudhishitir with the art of governance. As a treatise of statecraft, the Mahabharata attempts to show that the ideas mentioned in the book are worth following which would help to maintain the territorial integrity and also promote the welfare of the people. We say that the Shantiparva is the text that enhances the welfare of the people. It is not just a religious text on politics, diplomacy, governance and philosophy which are fully embodied with the spirit of dharma, ultimately heading towards the concept of good governance.

-Shakshi Baliyan