Shloka 11
Chapter 15: Counsel on Initiative vs. Renunciation in the Rajasuya Project (सभापर्व, अध्याय १५)
भीम उवाच अनारम्भपरो राजा वल्मीक इव सीदति । दुर्बलश्षानुपायेन बलिनं योडधितिष्ठति,भीमसेन बोले--महाराज! जो राजा उद्योग नहीं करता तथा जो दुर्बल होकर भी उचित उपाय अथवा युक्तिसे काम न लेकर किसी बलवानसे भिड़ जाता है, वे दोनों दीमकोंके बनाये हुए मिट्टीके ढेरके समान नष्ट हो जाते हैं
bhīma uvāca | anārambha-paro rājā valmīka iva sīdati | durbalaḥ śānu-pāyena balinaṃ yo ’dhitiṣṭhati ||
ଭୀମ କହିଲେ—ମହାରାଜ! ଯେ ରାଜା କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାରମ୍ଭ କରେନାହିଁ, ସେ ଭଳିକି (ପିପିଲିକା-ଢିବି) ପରି ଧସି ପଡ଼େ। ଏବଂ ଯେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇ ମଧ୍ୟ ଯଥୋଚିତ ଉପାୟ ଓ ନୀତି ବିନା ବଳବାନ୍ ଶତ୍ରୁଙ୍କୁ ମୁହାଁ ଦିଏ, ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ନାଶ ପାଏ।
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhima teaches that rulership and action require initiative and intelligent means (upāya). Inactivity destroys a king’s position, and reckless confrontation—when weak and without strategy—also leads to ruin.
In the Sabha Parva context, Bhima is delivering a pointed warning framed as political counsel: a ruler must not lapse into passivity, and one must not challenge stronger forces without prudent planning and appropriate measures.