Shloka 11
Adhyāya 177: Pañca-mahābhūta-vicāra and Vṛkṣa-jīva-lakṣaṇa
Five Elements Inquiry and the Status of Plant Life
आकिंचन्ये च राज्ये च विशेष: सुमहानयम् । नित्योद्धिग्नो हि धनवान् मृत्योरास्यगतो यथा
ākiñcanye ca rājye ca viśeṣaḥ sumahān ayam | nityoddhigno hi dhanavān mṛtyor āsyagato yathā ||
നിർധനതയും രാജ്യത്വവും തമ്മിലുള്ള വലിയ വ്യത്യാസം ഇതാണ്: ധനവാൻ എപ്പോഴും വ്യാകുലനായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു—മരണത്തിന്റെ വായിൽ വീണവനെപ്പോലെ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that wealth and power bring constant insecurity: the rich person lives in continual fear—of loss, rivals, punishment, and death—whereas non-possession (ākiñcanya) supports inner freedom and fearlessness. The verse critiques attachment and highlights detachment as a foundation for peace and dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and the means to peace after the war, Bhishma contrasts life-conditions to show their psychological and ethical consequences. Here he emphasizes the mental burden of kingship/wealth, portraying the wealthy as perpetually alarmed, as if already caught by Death.