Shloka 58
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
अलंकारे च भोज्ये च तथा स्नानानुलेपने । हेलनानि नरव्याप्र स्वस्थास्तस्योपशृण्वत:
alaṃkāre ca bhojye ca tathā snānānulepane | helanāni naravyāghra svasthās tasyopaśṛṇvataḥ ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಓ ಪುರುಷಸಿಂಹ! ರಾಜನು ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲೇ ನಿಂತು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿರಲು, ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವೆಂದು ಭಾವಿಸುವವರು ಅವನ ಆಭರಣಧಾರಣೆ, ಭೋಜನ, ಸ್ನಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಚಂದನಾದಿ ಲೇಪನ ಮುಂತಾದவற்றನ್ನು ಹಾಸ್ಯಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೂ ಆ ರಾಜನು ನಿರ್ಭಯವಾಗಿ ನಿಂತೇ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should cultivate fearlessness and forbearance: even when others deride his personal comforts and royal routines, he should remain steady, not reacting with anger or vindictiveness, and uphold dignified self-control.
Bhishma describes a scene where people who feel safe in the king’s presence openly mock his adornment, meals, bathing, and anointing. The king, however, stands nearby and listens without fear, indicating restraint and composure amid disrespect.