Shloka 4
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
श्रियो बलममात्यांश्ष बलवानिह विन्दति । यो हानाढ्य: स पतितस्तदुच्छिष्टं यदल्पकम्
śriyo balam amātyāṁś ca balavān iha vindati | yo hīnāḍhyaḥ sa patitas tad ucchiṣṭaṁ yad alpakam ||
Bhishma dit : En ce monde, l’homme puissant obtient aisément la prospérité, la force des armes et des ministres. Mais le pauvre est tenu pour déchu, et le peu de richesse qu’il possède est regardé comme des restes, chose méprisable.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical problem in society: power naturally draws wealth, armies, and political support, while poverty is unjustly equated with disgrace. It implicitly urges discernment—judging people by dharma and character rather than by possessions.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and practical realities of governance and society. Here he describes how social and political systems tend to favor the powerful and marginalize the poor, as part of a broader reflection on worldly conduct and justice.