Shloka 10
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
यदतप्तं प्रणमते नैतत् संतापमर्हति । यत् स्वयं नमते दारु न तत् संनामयन्त्यपि
yad-ataptaṁ praṇamate na etat santāpam arhati | yat svayaṁ namate dāru na tat saṁnāmayanty api ||
Bhishma dit : «Celui qui s’incline sans avoir été brûlé par l’épreuve ne mérite pas pour autant d’autres tourments. Et de même que l’on ne force pas à ployer le bois qui se courbe de lui-même, ainsi celui qui, de son plein gré, choisit l’humilité et la soumission n’est, en général, pas accablé d’une contrainte supplémentaire.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Voluntary humility prevents escalation: one who bows of their own accord, without being compelled by suffering, is less likely to face further harsh treatment—like naturally bending wood that needs no forcing.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs on dharma and practical ethics. Here he uses a simple analogy (wood that bends on its own) to advise that willing submission and modesty can avert additional pressure and pain in social and political life.