Shloka 12
नृशंस-लक्षणनिर्णयः | Determining the Marks of Cruel Conduct
Nṛśaṃsa
न हि बुद्धया सम किंचिद् विद्यते पुरुषे नृप । तथा बलेन राजेन्द्र न समो5स्तीह कक्षन
na hi buddhyā samaṁ kiñcid vidyate puruṣe nṛpa | tathā balena rājendra na samo 'stīha kaścana ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王よ、人のうちに बुद्धि（知恵）に等しいものは何もない。さらに、諸王の中の最勝者よ、この世において、知恵に導かれた力を備える者に匹敵する者はいない。ゆえに真の優越は、ただの力ではなく、明晰な分別によって方向づけられた力にこそ存する。」
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Intelligence (buddhi) is the highest human asset, and strength (bala) becomes truly effective and admirable only when governed by discernment; mere power without wisdom is not the standard of excellence.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma continues his counsel on righteous rule and personal conduct, emphasizing that a ruler’s real superiority comes from wise judgment and the disciplined use of power.