Shloka 16
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
राज्ञोउपि क्षीयमाणस्य ब्रह्मैवाहु: परायणम् । तस्माद् ब्रह्मबलेनैव समुत्थेयं विजानता,जिसकी शक्ति क्षीण हो रही हो, उस राजाके लिये ब्राह्मणको ही सबसे बड़ा सहायक बताया गया है; अतः बुद्धिमान नरेशको ब्राह्मणके बलका आश्रय लेकर ही अपनी उन्नति करनी चाहिये
rājño 'pi kṣīyamāṇasya brahmaivāhuḥ parāyaṇam | tasmād brahmabalenaiva samuttheyam vijānatā ||
Bhishma said: Even for a king whose power is waning, the wise declare that Brahman—the support of the Brahmin order and sacred knowledge—is the highest refuge. Therefore, a discerning ruler should seek his restoration and advancement by relying on the strength that comes from Brahman.
भीष्म उवाच