Shloka 150
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
पुत्रा दारास्तथैवात्मा कोशो मित्राणि संचया: । परै: साधारणा होते तैस्तैरेवास्य हेतुभि:,स्त्री, पुत्र, शरीर, कोष, मित्र तथा संग्रह--ये सब वस्तुएँ राजाओंकी भाँति दूसरोंके पास भी साधारणतया रहते ही हैं। जिन कारणोंसे वह राजा कहलाता है, उन्हीं युक्तियोंसे दूसरे लोग भी उसके समान ही कहे जा सकते हैं
putrā dārās tathaivātmā kośo mitrāṇi sañcayāḥ | paraiḥ sādhāraṇā hy ete tais tair evāsya hetubhiḥ ||
Disse Bhīṣma: Filhos, esposas, o próprio corpo, riqueza, amigos e recursos acumulados—tudo isso, na verdade, também é comum aos outros. Pelos mesmos fundamentos pelos quais um homem é chamado “rei”, também de outras pessoas se pode dizer que lhe são iguais.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma undercuts pride in status: the usual markers of ‘royalty’—family, body, wealth, allies, and stores—are not unique to a king. Since these supports are shared by many, mere possession of them is not a sufficient basis for superiority; true worth must be grounded in dharma and conduct rather than externals.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and righteousness, Bhishma continues advising the listener on the nature of power and identity. Here he argues that what people cite as reasons for calling someone a king are also found in others, challenging inflated notions of rank and urging a more ethical, dharma-based view of leadership.