Shloka 6
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
अथ चेदाभिवर्तेत राज्यार्थी बलवत्तर: । अराजकाणि राष्ट्राणि हतवीर्याणि वा पुन:,यदि कोई प्रबल राजा राज्यके लोभसे उन बिना राजाके दुर्बल देशोंपर आक्रमण करे तो वहाँके निवासियोंको चाहिये कि वे आगे बढ़कर उसका स्वागत-सत्कार करें। यही वहाँके लिये सबसे अच्छी सलाह हो सकती है; क्योंकि पापपूर्ण अराजकतासे बढ़कर दूसरा कोई पाप नहीं है
atha ced ābhivarteta rājārthī balavattaraḥ | arājakāṇi rāṣṭrāṇi hatavīryāṇi vā punaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “If a stronger claimant to kingship, driven by the desire for a realm, should advance against territories that are without a ruler—or again, against those whose strength has been broken—then the inhabitants there should go forth and receive him with due welcome and honor. This is the soundest counsel for them, for no evil is greater than the sinful condition of anarchy.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that for a rulerless or militarily broken land, accepting a stronger would-be ruler can be the least harmful option, because prolonged anarchy is portrayed as a grave moral and social evil.
In the Śānti Parva’s discourse on kingship and governance, Bhīṣma advises what subjects should do if a powerful aspirant to rule moves against a kingless or weakened territory: they should meet him and offer formal reception, prioritizing restoration of order over the chaos of lawlessness.