Shloka 41
कि तैयेंडनडुहो नोह्या: किं धेन्वा वाप्यदुग्धया । वन्ध्यया भार्यया को<्ं:र्थ:कोड्ड थो राज्ञाप्परक्षता,जो बोझ न ढो सकें, ऐसे बैलोंसे क्या लाभ? जो दूध न दे, ऐसी गाय किस कामकी? जो बाँझ हो, ऐसी स्त्रीसे क्या प्रयोजन है? और जो रक्षा न कर सके, ऐसे राजासे क्या लाभ है?
kiṁ tair indanaduhobhir nohyaiḥ? kiṁ dhenvā vāpy adugdhayā? vandhyayā bhāryayā ko 'rthaḥ? ko 'rtho rājñāparakṣatā?
Bhishma said: What use are oxen that cannot bear the yoke and carry the load? What use is a cow that yields no milk? What purpose is served by a wife who is barren? And what benefit is there in a king who cannot protect?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses functional dharma: the worth of a role is measured by its essential duty—oxen must bear loads, cows must yield milk, a spouse sustains lineage and household aims, and above all a king must protect. Without fulfilling the defining obligation, the office becomes meaningless.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma addresses the standards of kingship and social responsibility. He uses sharp analogies from agrarian and household life to emphasize that a ruler who cannot protect his people fails the very purpose of being king.