Shloka 7
अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः
Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness
क्रव्याद्धय इव भूतानामदान्तेभ्य: सदा भयम् | तेषां विप्रतिषेधार्थ राजा सृष्ट: स्वयम्भुवा
bhīṣma uvāca |
kravyāddhaya iva bhūtānām adāntebhyaḥ sadā bhayam |
teṣāṃ vipratiṣedhārthaṃ rājā sṛṣṭaḥ svayambhuvā ||
Bhishma berkata: “Daripada mereka yang tidak mengekang minda dan pancaindera, semua makhluk hidup dalam ketakutan yang berterusan—seperti takut kepada binatang buas pemakan daging. Maka, untuk menahan dan membendung dorongan liar golongan yang tidak berdisiplin itu, Sang Pencipta Yang Terbit Sendiri (Svayambhū) mewujudkan institusi raja.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained people become a source of fear for society; therefore kingship (rule backed by restraint and punishment) is instituted to curb lawlessness and protect living beings.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma and governance in the Shanti Parva, he explains why the Creator established the king: to restrain those who cannot control their minds and senses, ensuring public safety and order.