Shloka 28
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
आशभ्यन्तरं भयं रक्ष्यमसारं बाह्ृतो भयम्
āśābhyantaraṁ bhayaṁ rakṣyam asāraṁ bāhṛto bhayam
Bhīṣma dit : «Il faut se garder de la peur qui naît au-dedans, de l’espérance et de la convoitise ; la peur venue du dehors, au contraire, est instable et sans substance durable. La leçon morale est que l’agitation intérieure—née du désir—mine la constance et le dharma plus profondément que les menaces extérieures.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear rooted in inner hope and craving is the more dangerous enemy; it should be restrained, because it destabilizes judgment and dharmic conduct, whereas external threats are comparatively transient and less controlling.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on right conduct and mental discipline, emphasizing mastery over internal impulses—here, the anxiety generated by hope/desire.