Shloka 17
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
अबलं वै बलाच्छेयो यच्चातिबलवद्धलम् । बलस्याबलदग्धस्य न किंचिदवशिष्यते,निर्बल प्राणी बलवानसे श्रेष्ठ है, क्योंकि जो अत्यन्त बलवान् है, उसके बलसे भी निर्बलका बल अधिक है। निर्बलके द्वारा दग्ध किये गये बलवानका कुछ भी शेष नहीं रह जाता
abalaṃ vai balāc chreyo yac cātibalavad dhalaṃ | balasyābaladagdhasya na kiṃcid avaśiṣyate ||
Utathya dijo: «El débil es, en verdad, superior al fuerte; pues incluso lo poderosísimo puede ser vencido por el poder que nace de la aparente debilidad. Cuando el fuerte es “abrasado” por el débil, nada de esa fuerza permanece».
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical might is not the final measure of superiority. The ‘weak’—through humility, patience, self-control, or intelligent strategy—can neutralize and even destroy the advantage of the ‘strong,’ especially when the strong relies on pride and coercion.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Utathya delivers a pointed maxim: do not dismiss the powerless, because the dynamics of dharma, prudence, and inner strength can overturn brute force, leaving the proud strong with nothing.