Shloka 148
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
तथा चैते प्रदुष्यन्ति राजन् ये कीर्तिता मया । तथैवास्य भयं तेभ्यो जायते पश्य यादृशम्
tathā caite praduṣyanti rājan ye kīrtitā mayā | tathaivāsya bhayaṁ tebhyo jāyate paśya yādṛśam ||
Bhishma said: “And so, O king, those very men whom I have named become corrupted in their attitude: seeing the ruler’s suspicion directed toward them, they truly grow hostile toward him. Then, from them, the king comes to face the kind of fear that results—see for yourself what it becomes.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s suspicion can itself generate the very hostility and danger he fears; distrust provokes alienation, and alienation turns capable people into adversaries.
Bhishma continues instructing the king on governance, warning that those previously identified (such as learned or valorous men) may turn against the ruler when they perceive his fear and suspicion, leading to real threats to the throne.