Shloka 35
अरण्यवृत्ति-वैराग्योपदेशः | Forest Discipline and the Program of Non-Attachment
कृत्वा हि विविध कर्म तत्तद् विविधलक्षणम् | पार्थिवैर्नुपति: स्वल्पै: कारणैरेव बध्यते
kṛtvā hi vividha karma tattad vividhalakṣaṇam | pārthivair nṛpatiḥ svalpaiḥ kāraṇair eva badhyate ||
قال يودهيشثيرا: «حتى الملك الذي ذاع صيته بإتيان صنوفٍ شتى من الأعمال، لكلٍّ منها سِمَتُه الخاصة، قد يُسقَط—أو يُؤسَر ويُقيَّد أو يُقتَل—على يد ملوكٍ آخرين لأسبابٍ هي في ذاتها يسيرة. هكذا هشّةٌ هي السيادة، وهكذا مُهلكٌ هو السلطان».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power is unstable: even a celebrated ruler can be undone by seemingly minor causes. Therefore a king should not rely on fame or past achievements, but should secure rule through dharma, vigilance, and prudent governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s discussion on conduct and kingship, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the precariousness of royal fortune, noting that other kings can overpower even a renowned ruler for small pretexts or triggers.