Shloka 7
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
नित्यमुद्यतदण्ड: स्यान्नित्यं विवृतपौरुष: । अच्छिद्रश्छिद्रदर्शी च परेषां विवरानुग:
nityam udyatadaṇḍaḥ syān nityaṁ vivṛtapauruṣaḥ | acchidraś chidradarśī ca pareṣāṁ vivarānugaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Ein König soll stets bereit sein, die Strafe (daṇḍa) zu führen, und unablässig Entschlossenheit, Manneskraft und Tatkraft zeigen. Er muss seine eigene Stellung frei von Schwachstellen halten, zugleich aber fortwährend die Blößen der Gegner beobachten; und sobald eine Schwäche des Feindes erkannt ist, soll er unverzüglich in diese Öffnung hineindrängen.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches rājadharma: effective rule requires constant readiness to enforce law (daṇḍa), visible courage and initiative, self-discipline to avoid internal weaknesses, and strategic vigilance to exploit an adversary’s vulnerabilities when necessary.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on kingship and governance. Here he gives a concise maxim on maintaining order through daṇḍa, strengthening one’s own position, and monitoring enemies for openings.