Shloka 33
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
ऋजोर्मुदोर्वदान्यस्य ह्वीमत: सत्यवादिन: । नान्यो ज्ञातेरमहाबाहो विनाशमभिनन्दति
ṛjor mudor vadānyasya hrīmataḥ satyavādinaḥ | nānyo jñāter mahābāho vināśam abhinandati ||
ビーシュマは言った。「大臂の勇者よ、王が率直で、性情は柔和、施しに寛く、恥を知り、真実を語る者であるなら、その滅びを是とするのは親族以外にいない。かかる徳ある統治者の没落を、他人は喜ばぬものだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler endowed with honesty, gentleness, generosity, modesty, and truthfulness naturally earns goodwill; if anyone supports his downfall, it is most likely a jealous or self-interested relative. The verse warns that virtue does not eliminate political danger—especially from within one’s own kin.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhiṣṭhira about the realities of governance and human motives. Here he highlights how internal family rivalries can become the primary source of hostility even toward a righteous king.