Shloka 136
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
य इमां पृथिवीं कृत्स्नामेकच्छत्रां प्रशास्ति ह । एक एव स वै राजा पुरमध्यावसत्युत,जो इस सारी पृथ्वीका एकच्छ॒त्र शासन करता है, वह एक ही सार्वभौम नरेश भी एकमात्र नगरमें ही निवास करता है
ya imāṁ pṛthivīṁ kṛtsnām ekacchatrāṁ praśāsti ha | eka eva sa vai rājā puram adhyāvasaty uta ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Selbst der eine König, der diese ganze Erde unter einem einzigen Herrschaftsschirm regiert, wohnt doch nur in einer einzigen Stadt.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even universal sovereignty does not remove human limitation: a ruler may control the whole earth, yet he personally lives in only one city. Therefore, craving for limitless acquisition is irrational; dharmic rule requires restraint, contentment, and awareness of the true scale of one’s needs.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and statecraft, Bhīṣma continues advising the king by using a pointed observation about a universal monarch: despite ruling everything, he still resides in a single place—underscoring moderation and the ethical use of power.