Shloka 32
Kṣemadarśa–Kālakavṛkṣīya Saṃvāda: Counsel on Impermanence, Non-attachment, and Composure in Dispossession
ईर्याभिमानसम्पन्ना राजन् पुरुषमानिन: । कच्चित् त्वं न तथा राजन् मत्सरी कोसलाधिप
īrṣyābhimānasampannā rājan puruṣamāninaḥ | kaccit tvaṃ na tathā rājan matsarī kosalādhipa ||
Bhishma said: “O King, many men who think highly of themselves are filled with jealousy and pride. O ruler of Kosala, tell me—are you not of that kind, envious and spiteful?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that self-importance often breeds jealousy and spite; a ruler should examine himself and avoid these inner faults, since they corrupt judgment and dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma addresses a king (the ruler of Kosala) and questions him directly, probing whether he is free from envy and pride—vices that undermine good governance.