Shloka 139
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
एवमेवोपभोगेषु भोजनाच्छादनेषु च । गुणेषु परिमेयेषु निग्रहानुग्रहं प्रति
evamevopabhogeṣu bhojanācchādaneṣu ca | guṇeṣu parimeyeṣu nigrahānugrahaṁ prati ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Así también, en los goces—comida, vestido y otros conforts limitados y mensurables—el rey no es verdaderamente libre. Del mismo modo, en los dos deberes de reprimir a los malvados y favorecer a los bien conducidos, ha de obrar bajo constricción. Incluso en las pocas tareas en que parece tener elección, sigue atado por el apego y la necesidad. Y al hacer la paz o emprender la guerra, ¿dónde está la verdadera independencia de un rey?»
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s apparent power is bounded by dharma, practical necessity, and the welfare of subjects; even pleasures, punishments, rewards, and decisions of peace or war are not matters of personal whim but constrained duties requiring restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising the ruler (Yudhishthira) that royal authority is limited: the king must regulate personal enjoyments and govern through measured punishment and benevolence, and even major policies like treaty or conflict are shaped by circumstances and obligation.