Shloka 33
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
आपत्स्वेव च वोढव्यं भवद्धि: पुड़वैरिव । न च प्रियतरं कार्य धनं कस्याज्चिदापदि
āpatsv eva ca voḍhavyaṃ bhavadbhiḥ pūḍavair iva | na ca priyataram kāryaṃ dhanaṃ kasyacid āpadi ||
Bhishma berkata: “Dalam waktu bencana, kamu juga mesti memikul beban—seperti lembu jantan yang kuat membawa muatan walau melalui jalan yang sukar. Dalam kesusahan, tidak wajar sesiapa menganggap harta sebagai yang paling dikasihi lalu menyembunyikannya; sebaliknya, pikullah apa yang perlu demi kebaikan bersama.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a public crisis, one should accept necessary burdens and contribute resources; hoarding wealth out of fear or attachment is ethically improper when collective welfare is at stake.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma counsels the listeners on proper conduct during distress, using the image of strong oxen carrying loads through rough paths to urge steadfast responsibility and non-hoarding.