Shloka 5
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
सप्ताड्ुस्य च राज्यस्य विपरीतं य आचरेत् । गुरुर्वा यदि वा मित्र प्रतिहन्तव्य एव सः,राज्यके सात अड़ हैं--राजा, मन्त्री, मित्र, खजाना, देश, दुर्ग और सेना। जो इन सात अड़ोंसे युक्त राज्यके विपरीत आचरण करे, वह गुरु हो या मित्र, मार डालनेके ही योग्य है
saptāṅgasya ca rājyasya viparītaṃ ya ācaret | gurur vā yadi vā mitra pratihantavya eva saḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Whoever acts contrary to the proper functioning of a kingdom endowed with its seven constituent limbs—whether he be a teacher or even a friend—must be treated as an enemy to be struck down. For the safety of the realm and the protection of dharma, personal ties cannot excuse conduct that undermines the state.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The welfare of the state and the maintenance of rajadharma override private relationships: anyone who acts against the proper order of a well-constituted kingdom—even a guru or friend—must be decisively restrained, even to the point of lethal punishment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on governance and security. He emphasizes that threats to the state’s foundational elements must be met firmly, without favoritism based on personal bonds.