Shloka 31
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
तस्य दृष्टवा महत्त्वं ते महेन्द्रस्येव देवता: । अपतत्रसिरे सर्वे स्वधर्मे च ददुर्मन:
tasya dṛṣṭvā mahattvaṃ te mahendrasyeva devatāḥ | apatatrāsire sarve svadharme ca dadur manaḥ ||
Voyant sa grandeur, eux—comme les dieux saisis devant la majesté de Mahendra (Indra)—furent tous frappés d’une crainte mêlée de révérence, et chacun ramena son esprit à son devoir propre (svadharma).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True greatness in a ruler or exemplary person inspires awe that re-establishes moral order: people become restrained and redirect themselves toward svadharma, their rightful duties.
Bhishma describes how, upon witnessing a person’s extraordinary eminence, everyone reacts as the gods do before Indra—overawed and fearful—and consequently becomes attentive to proper conduct and duty.