Shloka 21
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
त॑ राजा प्रत्युवाचेदं यत् किंचिन्मां भवान् वदेत् । कस्मादहं न क्षमेयमाकाड्क्षन्नात्मनो हितम्,राजा क्षेमदर्शी और कालकवृक्षीय मुनि तब राजाने मुनिको इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया--'ब्राह्मण! आप जो कुछ कहना चाहें, मुझसे निर्भय होकर कहें। अपने हितकी इच्छा रखनेवाला मैं आपको क्षमा क्यों नहीं करूँगा? विप्रवर! आप जो चाहें, कहिये। मैं प्रतिज्ञा करता हूँ कि आप मुझसे जो कोई भी बात कहेंगे, आपकी उस आज्ञाका मैं पालन करूँगा”
rājā pratyuvācedaṃ yat kiṃcin māṃ bhavān vadet | kasmād ahaṃ na kṣameyam ākāṅkṣann ātmano hitam ||
Disse Bhishma: O rei respondeu: “O que quer que desejes dizer-me, dize-o sem temor. Já que busco o meu próprio bem-estar e segurança, por que não te perdoaria? Ó melhor dos brâmanes, fala como quiseres. Eu juro que, seja qual for a ordem ou o conselho que me deres, eu o cumprirei.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should welcome truthful counsel without fear or retaliation; forgiveness and receptivity to guidance are presented as practical dharma that protects one’s own welfare and the stability of rule.
In Bhishma’s narration, the king responds to a Brahmin/ascetic by inviting him to speak freely and promising forgiveness and obedience to what is advised, signaling the king’s commitment to ethical governance and self-correction.