Shloka 12
नृशंस-लक्षणनिर्णयः | Determining the Marks of Cruel Conduct
Nṛśaṃsa
न हि बुद्धया सम किंचिद् विद्यते पुरुषे नृप । तथा बलेन राजेन्द्र न समो5स्तीह कक्षन
na hi buddhyā samaṁ kiñcid vidyate puruṣe nṛpa | tathā balena rājendra na samo 'stīha kaścana ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O hari, sa loob ng tao ay walang anumang kapantay ng talino. At, O pinakamainam sa mga hari, sa mundong ito’y walang makapapantay sa taong ang lakas ay ginagabayan ng talinong may pag-unawa. Kaya ang tunay na kataasan ay hindi nasa lakas lamang, kundi sa lakas na pinapatnubayan ng matalinong paghatol.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Intelligence (buddhi) is the highest human asset, and strength (bala) becomes truly effective and admirable only when governed by discernment; mere power without wisdom is not the standard of excellence.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma continues his counsel on righteous rule and personal conduct, emphasizing that a ruler’s real superiority comes from wise judgment and the disciplined use of power.