Shloka 8
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
अभिभूय श्रियं तेषां कुलानामभिषेचित: । स्थितो मूर्थ्नि नरेन्द्राणामोजसा55क्रम्य सर्वश:
abhibhūya śriyaṃ teṣāṃ kulānām abhiṣecitaḥ | sthito mūrdhni narendrāṇām ojasā kramya sarvaśaḥ, rājan |
Ô roi, après avoir dépassé et éclipsé la fortune royale de ces lignées, Jarāsandha a été consacré à la dignité impériale par les rois eux-mêmes. Comme s’il se tenait sur la tête des souverains, il avance partout par la seule force, assaille tous les royaumes et se fait le premier des rois — une suprématie fondée non sur le dharma, mais sur une domination écrasante.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts dharmic sovereignty with dominance gained through sheer force: political elevation can occur through fear and coercion, but such supremacy is ethically suspect when it rests on overpowering other rulers rather than righteous conduct.
Kṛṣṇa describes Jarāsandha’s rise: he has eclipsed the royal fortunes of many kṣatriya houses, has been anointed to an imperial position by other kings, and now, by strength, attacks everywhere and places himself above all rulers.