Shloka 25
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
बकवच्चिन्तयेदर्थान् सिंहवच्च पराक्रमेत् । वृकवच्चावलुम्पेत शरवच्च विनिष्पतेत्
bakavac cintayed arthān siṁhavac ca parākramet | vṛkavac cāvalumpeta śaravac ca viniṣpatet ||
Disse Bhīṣma: O rei deve ponderar seus objetivos com a quietude concentrada de uma garça; deve mostrar valor como um leão; deve tomar a riqueza do inimigo com a investida súbita do lobo; e deve precipitar-se sobre os adversários como uma flecha. Assim, na ética da realeza, a deliberação e a contenção devem unir-se à força decisiva quando a proteção do reino o exige.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a fourfold model of royal conduct: careful, single-pointed deliberation (crane), courageous execution (lion), swift opportunistic seizure against hostile forces (wolf), and decisive, rapid action at the critical moment (arrow). The lesson is to balance thoughtful planning with timely force in protecting the kingdom.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on practical governance. Here he uses animal and weapon similes to describe how a ruler should think and act when dealing with political aims and enemies.