Shloka 50
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
दूषणेन च नागानामातड्कजननेन च । आराधनेन भक्तस्य प्रत्ययोपार्जनेन च
dūṣaṇena ca nāgānām ātaṅkajananeṇa ca | ārādhanena bhaktasya pratyayopārjanena ca
ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—“ਨਾਗਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਕੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਰ ਤੇ ਕਲੇਸ਼ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਕੇ, ਕਿਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਪੁਰਖ ਦਾ ਆਦਰ ਕਰਕੇ, ਅਤੇ (ਉਸ ਦਾ) ਭਰੋਸਾ ਜਿੱਤ ਕੇ—ਇਹਨਾਂ ਢੰਗਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਸਿੱਧ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights practical means by which outcomes are shaped in human affairs: negative tactics like blame and intimidation can unsettle opponents, while positive tactics like honoring a loyal person and earning trust can secure cooperation. The ethical tension lies in choosing methods consistent with dharma, especially regarding manipulation versus rightful persuasion.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma is enumerating methods or factors relevant to influencing others and achieving aims. The verse lists a sequence of approaches—censure and fear toward nāgas, and reverent service plus trust-building toward a devoted person—indicating different strategies applied to different targets.