Shloka 35
अरण्यवृत्ति-वैराग्योपदेशः | Forest Discipline and the Program of Non-Attachment
कृत्वा हि विविध कर्म तत्तद् विविधलक्षणम् | पार्थिवैर्नुपति: स्वल्पै: कारणैरेव बध्यते,भाँति-भाँतिके भिन्न-भिन्न कर्म करके विख्यात हुआ राजा भी किन्हीं छोटे-मोटे कारणोंसे ही दूसरे राजाओंद्वारा मार डाला जाता है
kṛtvā hi vividha karma tattad vividhalakṣaṇam | pārthivair nṛpatiḥ svalpaiḥ kāraṇair eva badhyate ||
ವಿವಿಧ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳ ಅನೇಕ ವಿಧದ ಕರ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಖ್ಯಾತನಾದ ರಾಜನೂ ಸಹ, ಅಲ್ಪ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಂದಲೇ ಇತರ ರಾಜರಿಂದ ಬಂಧಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾನೆ, ಸೋಲಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾನೆ ಅಥವಾ ಹತನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power is unstable: even a celebrated ruler can be undone by seemingly minor causes. Therefore a king should not rely on fame or past achievements, but should secure rule through dharma, vigilance, and prudent governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s discussion on conduct and kingship, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the precariousness of royal fortune, noting that other kings can overpower even a renowned ruler for small pretexts or triggers.