Shloka 33
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
आपत्स्वेव च वोढव्यं भवद्धि: पुड़वैरिव । न च प्रियतरं कार्य धनं कस्याज्चिदापदि
āpatsv eva ca voḍhavyaṃ bhavadbhiḥ pūḍavair iva | na ca priyataram kāryaṃ dhanaṃ kasyacid āpadi ||
Bhishma said: “In times of calamity, you too must bear the burden—like strong oxen that carry loads even through difficult terrain. In adversity, it is not right for anyone to treat wealth as the dearest thing and hide it away; rather, one should shoulder what must be done for the common good.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a public crisis, one should accept necessary burdens and contribute resources; hoarding wealth out of fear or attachment is ethically improper when collective welfare is at stake.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma counsels the listeners on proper conduct during distress, using the image of strong oxen carrying loads through rough paths to urge steadfast responsibility and non-hoarding.