Shloka 33
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
आपत्स्वेव च वोढव्यं भवद्धि: पुड़वैरिव । न च प्रियतरं कार्य धनं कस्याज्चिदापदि
āpatsv eva ca voḍhavyaṃ bhavadbhiḥ pūḍavair iva | na ca priyataram kāryaṃ dhanaṃ kasyacid āpadi ||
Bhishma sprach: „In Zeiten der Not müsst auch ihr die Last tragen—wie starke Ochsen, die ihre Bürde selbst durch schwieriges Gelände bringen. In der Bedrängnis ist es nicht recht, dass jemand Reichtum für das Liebste hält und ihn verbirgt; vielmehr soll man das auf sich nehmen, was für das Gemeinwohl getan werden muss.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a public crisis, one should accept necessary burdens and contribute resources; hoarding wealth out of fear or attachment is ethically improper when collective welfare is at stake.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma counsels the listeners on proper conduct during distress, using the image of strong oxen carrying loads through rough paths to urge steadfast responsibility and non-hoarding.