Shloka 31
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
सुपुष्पित: स्थादफल: फलवान् स्याद् दुरारुह: । आम: स्यात् पक्वसंकाशो न च शीर्येत कस्यचित्
supūṣpitaḥ sthād aphalaḥ phalavān syād durāruhaḥ | āmaḥ syāt pakvasaṅkāśo na ca śīryeta kasyacit ||
Bhishma sprach: „Der König, der die Staatskunst versteht, sei wie ein Baum: reich an Blüten, doch ohne Frucht; und selbst wenn er Frucht trägt, sei er schwer zu erklimmen. Er bleibe unreif und erscheine doch reif, und er verwelke niemals um irgendjemandes willen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should be outwardly impressive yet not easily exploitable: he should not offer easy ‘fruit’ to greedy people, should be difficult to ‘climb’ (approach for undue gain), should keep intentions and resources guarded (unripe though seeming ripe), and should maintain enduring strength so the kingdom is not worn down by constant demands.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma and nīti, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on qualities of effective kingship, using a vivid tree simile to describe how a prudent king should manage accessibility, generosity, and strategic reserve.