Shloka 20

अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः

Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal

Devanagari script

उपासिता च वृद्धानां जिततन्द्रिरलोलुप: । सतां वृत्ते स्थितमति: संतोष्यश्चारुदर्शन:

Transliteration

upāsitā ca vṛddhānāṃ jitatandrir alolupaḥ | satāṃ vṛtte sthitamatīḥ santoṣyaś cārudarśanaḥ ||

Translation

भीष्म ने कहा—राजा को वृद्धों की सेवा और संगति करनी चाहिए; वह आलस्य को जीते और लोभ का त्याग करे। सत्पुरुषों के आचरण में उसकी बुद्धि स्थिर रहे; उसका स्वभाव संतोषी हो; और उसका वेश-भूषा तथा व्यक्तित्व देखने में मनोहर हो—जिससे उसका शासन संयम, सदाचार और जनविश्वास पर टिके।

Word by Word

• {'upāsitā (upāsitaḥ)': 'one who attends upon

• keeps close company with (especially elders/teachers)', 'vṛddhānām': 'of the elders

• of the aged and experienced', 'jita-tandriḥ': 'having conquered lethargy/sloth

• disciplined and vigilant', 'a-lolupaḥ': 'not greedy

• free from covetousness and excessive desire', 'satām': 'of the good/virtuous people', 'vṛtte': 'in conduct

• in customary behavior and ethical practice', 'sthita-matiḥ': 'steady-minded

• mentally established', 'santoṣyaḥ': 'contented

• easily pleased in rightful ways', 'cāru-darśanaḥ': 'pleasant to look at

• of agreeable appearance and demeanor', 'rājā': 'the king

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• rājā
• vṛddhāḥ (elders)
• sat (virtuous people)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhishma outlines key virtues for a ruler: reverence and service toward elders, personal discipline (overcoming laziness), freedom from greed, commitment to the ethical conduct of the good, a contented temperament, and a dignified, pleasing public presence that supports trust and order.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on the qualities and habits that sustain righteous kingship, emphasizing moral self-control and alignment with the example of virtuous elders.