Shloka 28
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
आशभ्यन्तरं भयं रक्ष्यमसारं बाह्ृतो भयम्
āśābhyantaraṁ bhayaṁ rakṣyam asāraṁ bāhṛto bhayam
Bhīṣma said: “One should guard against the fear that arises within from hope and craving; external fear, by contrast, is unstable and without lasting substance. The ethical point is that inner agitation—born of desire—undermines steadiness and dharma more deeply than threats coming from outside.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear rooted in inner hope and craving is the more dangerous enemy; it should be restrained, because it destabilizes judgment and dharmic conduct, whereas external threats are comparatively transient and less controlling.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on right conduct and mental discipline, emphasizing mastery over internal impulses—here, the anxiety generated by hope/desire.