Shloka 50
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
दूषणेन च नागानामातड्कजननेन च । आराधनेन भक्तस्य प्रत्ययोपार्जनेन च
dūṣaṇena ca nāgānām ātaṅkajananeṇa ca | ārādhanena bhaktasya pratyayopārjanena ca
भीष्म म्हणाले—“नागांची निंदा करून, त्यांच्यात भय व संताप उत्पन्न करून, भक्त पुरुषाची आराधना करून, आणि (त्याचा) विश्वास संपादन करून—अशा उपायांनी अभिप्रेत कार्य साध्य होते.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights practical means by which outcomes are shaped in human affairs: negative tactics like blame and intimidation can unsettle opponents, while positive tactics like honoring a loyal person and earning trust can secure cooperation. The ethical tension lies in choosing methods consistent with dharma, especially regarding manipulation versus rightful persuasion.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma is enumerating methods or factors relevant to influencing others and achieving aims. The verse lists a sequence of approaches—censure and fear toward nāgas, and reverent service plus trust-building toward a devoted person—indicating different strategies applied to different targets.