Shloka 5
उच्चैव॒त्ति: श्रियो हानिर्यथैव मरणं तथा । तस्मात् कोशं बलं मित्रमथ राजा विवर्धयेत्,जो धनके कारण ऊँचे तथा महत्त्वपूर्ण पदपर पहुँचा हुआ है, उसके धनकी हानि हो जाय तो उसे मृत्युके तुल्य कष्ट होता है, अतः राजाको कोश, सेना तथा मित्रकी संख्या बढ़ानी चाहिये
uccair vṛttiḥ śriyo hānir yathaiva maraṇaṃ tathā | tasmāt kośaṃ balaṃ mitram atha rājā vivardhayet ||
Bhishma said: For one who has risen to a high station through wealth and prosperity, the loss of that wealth brings anguish comparable to death itself. Therefore a king should steadily strengthen his treasury, his armed force, and his circle of allies.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must treat financial stability, military strength, and reliable alliances as essential supports of the kingdom; losing wealth can be as devastating as death for one dependent on prosperity, so the king should proactively build these pillars.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma advises the king on practical duties of rule, emphasizing the need to expand the treasury, strengthen the army, and cultivate allies as safeguards for the realm.