Shloka 42
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
व्यसनानि च सर्वाणि त्यजेथा भूरिदक्षिण । न चैव न प्रयुड्जीत सड़ूं तु परिवर्जयेत्
vyasanāni ca sarvāṇi tyajethā bhūridakṣiṇa | na caiva na prayuñjīta sāḍhuṃ tu parivarjayet ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô roi d’abondante générosité, tu dois abandonner toute forme de vice et toute addiction funeste. Mais cela ne veut pas dire qu’il ne faille jamais recourir à l’audace et à l’effort : le courage et l’initiative sont nécessaires pour des buts tels que vaincre les ennemis. Ainsi, ce qu’il faut renoncer, c’est l’attachement aux vices sous toutes leurs formes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Renounce all destructive vices and addictions, but do not reject courageous initiative altogether; what must be abandoned is indulgent attachment to vice, while purposeful bold effort may be necessary for righteous aims such as protecting the realm.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) on ethical governance: avoid ruinous habits, yet retain the capacity for decisive, courageous action when duty requires it.