Shloka 147
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
प्राज्ञान् शूरांस्तथैवाब्यानेकस्थानपि शड्कते । भयमप्यभये राज्ञो यैश्व नित्यमुपास्यते
prājñān śūrāṁs tathaivāpy aneka-sthān api śaṅkate | bhayam apy abhaye rājño yaiś ca nityam upāsyate ||
Bhīṣma said: Even when a king sees wise men and valiant heroes gathered together in various places, he becomes suspicious of them. Even where there is no real cause for fear, fear arises in a ruler’s mind; and he remains wary even of those who constantly attend upon him and stay close in his service.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a recurring flaw in kingship: power breeds insecurity. A ruler may suspect even the wise, the brave, and even his own constant attendants, fearing conspiracies even where no danger exists. The ethical warning is that governance requires self-mastery and discernment, not paranoia.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is advising about the inner vulnerabilities of rulers. He describes how a king, seeing capable people gathered, tends to become anxious and suspicious, and how this fear can extend even to those closest to him at court.