Shloka 54
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
पश्येदुपायान् विविधै: क्रियापथै- न चानुपायेन मतिं निवेशयेत् । श्रियं विशिष्टां विपुलं यशो धनं न दोषदर्शी पुरुष: समश्चुते
paśyed upāyān vividhaiḥ kriyāpathair na cānupāyena matiṁ niveśayet | śriyaṁ viśiṣṭāṁ vipulaṁ yaśo dhanaṁ na doṣadarśī puruṣaḥ samaśnute ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Hayaang maghanap ang hari ng mga paraan ng tagumpay sa iba’t ibang landas ng gawa, at huwag niyang ituon ang isip sa mga paraang di nararapat. Ang taong mapanlait at mapaghanap ng mali—na nakakakita ng kapintasan kahit sa walang sala—ay hindi nakakamit ang natatanging kasaganaan, saganang dangal, o kayamanan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Seek success through appropriate, well-considered methods, not through unfit or unethical expedients; and avoid a fault-finding disposition, because it undermines the prosperity, fame, and wealth that stable rule depends upon.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance, Bhishma continues advising the ruler: employ diverse practical strategies for victory and administration, but reject improper means and the habit of imputing faults even to the innocent.