Shloka 35
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
सत्कृतं स्वजनेनेह परो5पि बहु मन्यते । स्वजनेन त्ववज्ञातं परे परिभवन्त्युत
satkṛtaṃ svajaneneha paro 'pi bahu manyate | svajanena tv avajñātaṃ pare paribhavanty uta ||
Bhīṣma dit : En ce monde, lorsqu’un homme est honoré par les siens, même les étrangers en viennent à le tenir en haute estime. Mais lorsqu’il est méprisé par sa propre parenté, les autres aussi le traitent avec dédain.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person’s public standing is strongly shaped by how their own family and close community treat them: honor at home generates wider respect, while contempt from one’s own people invites contempt from others.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and governance, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on social and ethical realities—how esteem and disgrace spread through society, beginning with one’s immediate circle.