Shloka 32
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
नन्दामि व: प्रभावेण पुत्राणामिव चोदये । यथाशक्त्युपगृह्नामि राष्ट्स्यापीडया च व:
nandāmi vaḥ prabhāveṇa putrāṇām iva codaye | yathāśakty upagṛhṇāmi rāṣṭrasyāpīḍayā ca vaḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Aku bersukacita atas pengaruh kamu yang kian berkembang, sebagaimana seorang bapa gembira melihat anak-anaknya meningkat. Namun, didesak kesusahan yang menimpa kerajaan, pada saat ini aku akan menerima sumbangan daripada kamu hanya menurut kemampuan—agar rakyat di negeri ini tidak ditimpa penderitaan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in crisis, a ruler (or guardian of the state) should take resources from people only in proportion to their capacity, prioritizing the protection of subjects from hardship; governance must be both firm and compassionate.
Bhishma addresses the recipients as a benevolent elder: he expresses joy at their increasing strength and encourages them, but explains that because the kingdom is under strain, he will accept support only to the extent each can bear, aiming to avert public suffering.