Adhyāya 290: Sāṃkhya-vidhi, Deha-doṣa, Guṇa-vicāra, and Mokṣa-gati
Bhīṣma–Yudhiṣṭhira Dialogue
रागी युक्त: पचमानो<35त्महेतो- मूर्खो वक्ता नृपहीनं च राष्ट्रम् । एते सर्वे शोच्यतां यान्ति राजन् यश्चायुक्त: स्नेहहीन: प्रजासु
parāśara uvāca |
rāgī yuktaḥ pacamāno ’tmahetoḥ mūrkho vaktā nṛpahīnaṃ ca rāṣṭram |
ete sarve śocyatāṃ yānti rājan yaścāyuktaḥ snehahīnaḥ prajāsu ||
Wika ni Parāśara: “O hari, ang taong itinutulak ng pagnanasa—ang ‘yogin’ na alipin ng mga bagay na pandama; ang nagluluto para sa sarili lamang; ang mangangaral na hangal; at ang lupang walang hari—lahat ng ito’y dapat pagluksa. Gayundin, ang pinunong walang pagpipigil at walang pagmamahal sa kanyang mga nasasakupan ay dapat ding pagluksa.”
पराशर उवाच
Personal discipline and social responsibility are essential: passion, selfishness, and foolish speech are blameworthy, and a king who lacks self-control and affection for his people is especially condemnable; a realm without proper kingship is also a cause for grief.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, the sage Parāśara addresses a king and lists types of persons—and even a kingless polity—who are ‘śocya’ (to be lamented/criticized), emphasizing the ethical duties of rulers and citizens.