Shloka 4
श्रियो बलममात्यांश्ष बलवानिह विन्दति । यो हानाढ्य: स पतितस्तदुच्छिष्टं यदल्पकम्,बलवान् पुरुष इस जगतमें सम्पत्ति, सेना और मन्त्री सब कुछ पा लेता है। जो दरिद्र है, वह पतित समझा जाता है और किसीके पास जो बहुत थोड़ा धन है, वह उच्छिष्ट या जूठन समझा जाता है
śriyo balam amātyāṁś ca balavān iha vindati | yo hīnāḍhyaḥ sa patitas tad ucchiṣṭaṁ yad alpakam ||
Бхишма сказал: В этом мире сильный человек легко обретает богатство, военную мощь и министров. Но бедняка считают падшим, а его малое имущество — словно объедки, вещь презренная.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical problem in society: power naturally draws wealth, armies, and political support, while poverty is unjustly equated with disgrace. It implicitly urges discernment—judging people by dharma and character rather than by possessions.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and practical realities of governance and society. Here he describes how social and political systems tend to favor the powerful and marginalize the poor, as part of a broader reflection on worldly conduct and justice.