Shloka 24
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
प्रागेवोक्तस्तु दोषो5यमाचार्यननपसेविनाम् । अगतीकगतिहांषा पापा राजोपसेविनाम्
prāgevoktas tu doṣo ’yam ācāryān anapasevinām | agatīkagatihāṃsā pāpā rājopasevinām ||
Bhishma sprach: „Dieser Makel ist von den Lehrern der Staatskunst schon früher benannt worden: Für jene, die ihren Lehrmeistern nicht gebührend dienen, und für jene, die vom Dienst an Königen leben, wird dieser Erwerb zu einem sündhaften ‘Zufluchtsort für die Zufluchtlosen’—zum letzten Ausweg, wenn keine andere Stütze bleibt.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that dependence on royal service can become a morally risky, even sinful livelihood—often chosen as a last resort by those lacking other support—and he links ethical stability to proper discipline and service to teachers/elders.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, citing earlier teachings of authoritative ācāryas to critique the dangers and moral compromises associated with serving kings.