Shloka 56
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
दुश्वैष्टितं च विविध॑ वृत्तिश्वैवानुवर्तिनाम् । शड्कितत्वं च सर्वस्य प्रमादस्य च वर्जनम्
duṣvaiṣṭitaṃ ca vividhaṃ vṛttiś caivānuvartinām | śaṅkitatvaṃ ca sarvasya pramādasya ca varjanam ||
नानाविध दुष्चेष्टांपासून दूर राहणे, अनुचरांच्या उपजीविकेचा विचार करणे, सर्वांबद्दल सावध शंका ठेवणे आणि प्रमादाचा त्याग करणे—हेही (त्या नीतिग्रंथात) सांगितले आहे.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches disciplined prudence: avoid misguided ventures, maintain a livelihood consistent with one’s proper conduct, stay vigilant, and renounce negligence—so that wealth and life are managed responsibly and ethically.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to Yudhishthira, Bhishma continues his counsel on righteous governance and practical ethics, emphasizing careful conduct and alertness as essential supports for managing resources and fulfilling dharma.