Shloka 139
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
एवमेवोपभोगेषु भोजनाच्छादनेषु च । गुणेषु परिमेयेषु निग्रहानुग्रहं प्रति
evamevopabhogeṣu bhojanācchādaneṣu ca | guṇeṣu parimeyeṣu nigrahānugrahaṁ prati ||
ビーシュマは言った。「同じく享楽の事—食と衣、そして量り得る限りある快適さ—においても、王は真に自由ではない。さらに、悪を抑え善を遇するという二つの務めにおいても、彼は制約のもとに行わねばならぬ。選べるように見えるわずかな務めでさえ、執着と必要に縛られている。まして和を結ぶか戦を起こすか、その肝要の場で、王の独立はどこにあるのか。」
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s apparent power is bounded by dharma, practical necessity, and the welfare of subjects; even pleasures, punishments, rewards, and decisions of peace or war are not matters of personal whim but constrained duties requiring restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising the ruler (Yudhishthira) that royal authority is limited: the king must regulate personal enjoyments and govern through measured punishment and benevolence, and even major policies like treaty or conflict are shaped by circumstances and obligation.