Shloka 4
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
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 ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Sa daigdig na ito, ang makapangyarihan ay madaling nagkakamit ng kasaganaan, lakas-militar, at mga ministro. Ngunit ang dukha ay itinuturing na bagsak, at ang munting yaman na taglay niya’y itinuturing na parang tira-tira—isang bagay na hinahamak.
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.