Shloka 13
न याचन्ते प्रयच्छन्ति सत्यधर्मविशारदा: । नाध्यापयन्त्यधीयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति न,मेरे राज्यमें जो क्षत्रिय हैं, वे अपने वर्णोचित कर्मोमें लगे रहते हैं, वे वेदोंका अध्ययन तो करते हैं, परंतु अध्यापन नहीं करते; यज्ञ करते हैं, परंतु कराते नहीं हैं तथा दान देते हैं, किंतु स्वयं लेते नहीं हैं। मेरे राज्यके क्षत्रिय याचना नहीं करते; स्वयं ही याचकोंको मुहमाँगी वस्तुएँ देते हैं। सत्यभाषी तथा धर्मसम्पादनमें कुशल हैं। वे ब्राह्मणोंकी रक्षा करते हैं और युद्धमें कभी पीठ नहीं दिखाते हैं तो भी तुम मेरे शरीरके भीतर कैसे प्रविष्ट हो गये?
na yācante prayacchanti satyadharmaviśāradāḥ | nādhyāpayanty adhīyante yajante yājayanti na |
Bhīṣma said: “They do not beg; rather, they give—being adept in truthfulness and in the practice of dharma. They do not teach the Veda, but they study it; they perform sacrifices, but they do not officiate for others. In my realm, the kṣatriyas remain engaged in the duties proper to their order: they give gifts yet do not accept them, and without asking they grant petitioners what is desired. They protect the brāhmaṇas and never turn their backs in battle. Even so—how have you entered within my body?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse outlines varṇa-appropriate conduct for kṣatriyas: they uphold truth and dharma, study the Veda without taking up the brāhmaṇa’s role of teaching, perform sacrifices without acting as priests for others, give generously without begging or accepting gifts, protect brāhmaṇas, and show courage in battle. Ethical kingship is framed as disciplined role-based duty and public-spirited generosity.
Bhīṣma speaks while reflecting on the moral strength of his realm’s kṣatriyas. He lists their virtues and proper conduct, then expresses astonishment that despite such protection and righteousness, some harmful presence or affliction has nevertheless entered his own body—posing a rhetorical challenge that sets up further explanation in the surrounding passage.