Shloka 8
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
स चेत् समनुपश्येत समग्रं कुशलं भवेत् | बलवान हि प्रकुपित: कुर्यान्निःशेषतामपि,वह बलवान् आक्रमणकारी नरेश यदि शान्त दृष्टिसे देखे तो राज्यकी पूर्णतः भलाई होती है और यदि वह कुपित हो गया तो उस राज्यका सर्वनाश कर सकता है
sa cet samanupaśyet samagraṁ kuśalaṁ bhavet | balavān hi prakupitaḥ kuryān niḥśeṣatām api ||
Bhishma said: If such a powerful ruler were to look upon matters with calm, comprehensive discernment, the welfare of the realm would become complete. But if that same strong king is provoked into anger, he can bring even the entire state to utter ruin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength must be governed by calm, comprehensive judgment; when power is guided by restraint it produces complete welfare, but when driven by anger it can destroy an entire polity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhishma warns about the double-edged nature of royal power: the same capable king can secure the realm’s prosperity through composed oversight, or devastate it if he becomes enraged.