Shloka 92
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अनज़॒पुत्रो5तिबलो नीतिमानभिगम्य वै । प्रतिपेदे महाराज्यमथेन्द्रियवशो 5भवत्
Anaṅga-putro 'tibalo nītimān abhigamya vai | pratipede mahārājyam athendriya-vaśo 'bhavat ||
अनज्रीचा पुत्र ‘अतिबल’ नावाचा होता. तोही नीतिशास्त्र जाणणारा होता; त्याने विशाल राज्य प्राप्त केले. पण राज्य मिळताच तो इंद्रियांच्या अधीन झाला.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ruler skilled in nīti can fall if he lacks indriya-nigraha (control of the senses). Power and prosperity intensify temptations; therefore, self-restraint is essential to preserve dharma and stable governance.
Bhishma cites Atibala as an example: he acquires a great kingdom through proper means and competence, but after attaining rule he becomes dominated by sensory desires, illustrating how success can lead to moral decline.