Shloka 26
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
तेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य एवाहुर्भयं राजोपजीविनाम् । तथैषां राजतो राजन् मुहूतदिव भीर्भवेत्
tebhyaḥ sarvebhya evāhur bhayaṁ rājopajīvinām | tathaivaiṣāṁ rājato rājan muhūrtād iva bhīr bhavet ||
भीष्म बोले—जो लोग राजाओं पर आश्रित होकर जीविका चलाते हैं, उनके लिए नीतिज्ञों ने चारों ओर से भय बताया है। और हे राजन्, स्वयं राजा से भी उन्हें क्षण-क्षण भय बना रहता है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dependence on royal power is inherently risky: those who live by serving or relying on a king face fear from many quarters, and even the king’s own changing will can become a continual source of danger.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma warns the listener-king that royal dependents (courtiers, servants, those seeking livelihood through the court) are exposed to widespread hostility and instability, including sudden peril originating from the king himself.