Shloka 54
असम्भवे श्रियो राजन् हीनस्य सचिवादिशि: | दैवे प्रतिनिविष्टे च कि श्रेयो मन्यते भवान्,राजन! तुम्हारे लिये अब धन-सम्पत्तिकी कोई सम्भावना नहीं है। तुम मन्त्री आदिसे भी रहित हो गये हो तथा दैव भी तुम्हारे प्रतिकूल ही है, ऐसी अवस्थामें तुम अपने लिये किस मार्गका अवलम्बन अच्छा समझते हो?
asambhave śriyo rājan hīnasya sacivādiṣu | daive pratiniviṣṭe ca ki śreyo manyate bhavān ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Raja, apabila kemakmuran tidak lagi mungkin bagimu—apabila engkau telah kehilangan para menteri dan segala sokongan, dan apabila takdir sendiri berdiri menentangmu—dalam keadaan demikian, jalan apakah yang engkau anggap paling bermanfaat untuk dirimu?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When external supports (wealth, advisers, favorable circumstances) collapse and fate appears adverse, one must deliberately choose the course that truly leads to śreyas—long-term welfare—rather than reacting impulsively; the verse frames ethical decision-making under extreme adversity.
Bhīṣma addresses a king in distress, pointing out that prosperity is unattainable, advisers are gone, and circumstances are hostile; he then asks what path the king considers best, setting up further counsel on how to act when power and resources have failed.