Shloka 4
श्रियो बलममात्यांश्ष बलवानिह विन्दति । यो हानाढ्य: स पतितस्तदुच्छिष्टं यदल्पकम्,बलवान् पुरुष इस जगतमें सम्पत्ति, सेना और मन्त्री सब कुछ पा लेता है। जो दरिद्र है, वह पतित समझा जाता है और किसीके पास जो बहुत थोड़ा धन है, वह उच्छिष्ट या जूठन समझा जाता है
śriyo balam amātyāṁś ca balavān iha vindati | yo hīnāḍhyaḥ sa patitas tad ucchiṣṭaṁ yad alpakam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「この世では、力ある者は富も軍勢も家臣もたやすく得る。だが貧しき者は堕ちた者と見なされ、わずかな財さえ“残り物”のように卑しまれる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical problem in society: power naturally draws wealth, armies, and political support, while poverty is unjustly equated with disgrace. It implicitly urges discernment—judging people by dharma and character rather than by possessions.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and practical realities of governance and society. Here he describes how social and political systems tend to favor the powerful and marginalize the poor, as part of a broader reflection on worldly conduct and justice.