Shloka 7
कपोत-लुब्धकसंवादः — Hunter’s Remorse and Renunciatory Resolve
नैकशाखेन धर्मेण राज्ञो धर्मो विधीयते । दुर्बलस्य कुतः प्रज्ञा पुरस्तादनुपाहृता,एक शाखावाले (एकदेशीय) धर्मसे राजाका धर्म-निर्वाह नहीं होता। जिसने पहले अध्ययनकालमें एकदेशीय धर्मविषयक बुद्धिकी शिक्षा ली, उस दुर्बल राजाको पूर्ण प्रज्ञा कहाँसे प्राप्त हो सकती है?
naikaśākhena dharmeṇa rājño dharmo vidhīyate | durbalasya kutaḥ prajñā purastād anupāhṛtā ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Ang dharma ng isang hari ay hindi maitatatag o maisasakatuparan nang wasto kung iisang sangay ng dharma lamang ang aasahan. Para sa isang mahinang pinuno, saan manggagaling ang tunay na praktikal na karunungan kung hindi ito naihanda noon pa man sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay at pagtuturo?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma requires broad, multi-faceted understanding; partial or one-sided knowledge cannot sustain just governance. Without prior instruction and cultivation of discernment, a weak king cannot develop the wisdom needed to rule well.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on statecraft and ethics, Bhishma continues advising on rajadharma, stressing that kingship demands comprehensive training and that inadequate education leads to deficient judgment in rule.