Shloka 139
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
एवमेवोपभोगेषु भोजनाच्छादनेषु च । गुणेषु परिमेयेषु निग्रहानुग्रहं प्रति
evamevopabhogeṣu bhojanācchādaneṣu ca | guṇeṣu parimeyeṣu nigrahānugrahaṁ prati ||
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: “Gayon din, sa mga usapin ng pagluho—pagkain, pananamit, at iba pang ginhawang may hangganan at nasusukat—hindi tunay na malaya ang hari. Gayundin, sa dalawang tungkulin na pigilan ang masasama at magpakita ng pabor sa mga matuwid, kumikilos siya sa ilalim ng mga pagpilit. Kahit sa kakaunting gawaing wari’y may pagpili, nakagapos pa rin siya ng pagkapit at pangangailangan. At sa paggawa ng kapayapaan o pagpasok sa digmaan, saan matatagpuan ang tunay na kasarinlan ng isang hari?”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s apparent power is bounded by dharma, practical necessity, and the welfare of subjects; even pleasures, punishments, rewards, and decisions of peace or war are not matters of personal whim but constrained duties requiring restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising the ruler (Yudhishthira) that royal authority is limited: the king must regulate personal enjoyments and govern through measured punishment and benevolence, and even major policies like treaty or conflict are shaped by circumstances and obligation.