Shloka 25
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
बकवच्चिन्तयेदर्थान् सिंहवच्च पराक्रमेत् । वृकवच्चावलुम्पेत शरवच्च विनिष्पतेत्
bakavac cintayed arthān siṁhavac ca parākramet | vṛkavac cāvalumpeta śaravac ca viniṣpatet ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Ang hari ay dapat magnilay sa kanyang mga layunin nang tahimik at nakatuon gaya ng tagak; magpakita ng tapang gaya ng leon; samsamin ang yaman ng kaaway sa biglaang pagsalakay gaya ng lobo; at dumaluhong sa mga kalaban gaya ng palaso. Kaya sa dharma ng paghahari, ang pag-iingat at pagpipigil ay dapat ipares sa mapagpasiyang lakas kapag hinihingi ng pag-iingat sa kaharian.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a fourfold model of royal conduct: careful, single-pointed deliberation (crane), courageous execution (lion), swift opportunistic seizure against hostile forces (wolf), and decisive, rapid action at the critical moment (arrow). The lesson is to balance thoughtful planning with timely force in protecting the kingdom.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on practical governance. Here he uses animal and weapon similes to describe how a ruler should think and act when dealing with political aims and enemies.