Shloka 24
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
प्रागेवोक्तस्तु दोषो5यमाचार्यननपसेविनाम् । अगतीकगतिहांषा पापा राजोपसेविनाम्
prāgevoktas tu doṣo ’yam ācāryān anapasevinām | agatīkagatihāṃsā pāpā rājopasevinām ||
Bhishma said: “This fault has already been pointed out earlier by the teachers of polity: for those who do not properly attend upon their preceptors, and for those who live by serving kings, this livelihood becomes a sinful ‘refuge for the refuge-less’—a last resort taken when no other support remains.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that dependence on royal service can become a morally risky, even sinful livelihood—often chosen as a last resort by those lacking other support—and he links ethical stability to proper discipline and service to teachers/elders.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, citing earlier teachings of authoritative ācāryas to critique the dangers and moral compromises associated with serving kings.