Shloka 22
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
एतेभ्यश्चाप्रमत्त: स्यात् सदा शत्रोर्युधिष्ठिर । भारुण्डसदृशा होते निपतन्ति प्रमादतः
etebhyaś cāpramattaḥ syāt sadā śatror yudhiṣṭhira | bhāruṇḍa-sadṛśā hy ete nipatanti pramādataḥ ||
Bhishma said: “O Yudhishthira, one should always remain vigilant against these dangers and against the enemy. For when a ruler becomes careless, they swoop down suddenly—like bhāruṇḍa birds—bringing harm without warning.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must be constantly vigilant; negligence (pramāda) invites sudden danger, as enemies and harmful forces strike swiftly when one’s guard is down.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira, warning him that threats and enemies attack abruptly when a king becomes careless, illustrated through the image of swooping bhāruṇḍa birds.