Shloka 21
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
कुरुनन्दन! तुम सभी कार्योंमें सरलता एवं कोमलताका अवलम्बन करना, परंतु नीतिशास्त्रकी आलोचनासे यह ज्ञात होता है कि अपने छिद्र, अपनी मन्त्रणा तथा अपने कार्य-यकौशल--इन तीन बातोंको गुप्त रखनेमें सरलताका अवलम्बन करना उचित नहीं है ।।
kurunandana! tvaṁ sarvakāryeṣu saralatāṁ ca mṛdutāṁ cāvalambasva; nītiśāstrālocanayā tu jñāyate—svacchidraṁ svamantraṇāṁ svakārya-yakauśalaṁ ca, etāni trīṇi guhyāni kartum saralatā na yuktā. mṛdur hi rājā satataṁ laṅghyo bhavati sarvaśaḥ; tīkṣṇāc codvijate lokas tasmād ubhayam āśraya.
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “O inapo ni Kuru, sa lahat ng gawain ay karaniwang umasa sa pagiging tuwid at sa kahinahunan. Ngunit ipinakikita ng masusing pag-aaral ng karunungang pampamahalaan na hindi nararapat ang ‘pagiging payak’ sa pagtatago ng tatlong bagay—ang sariling kahinaan, ang lihim na payo (mantra), at ang husay sa pagsasakatuparan ng mga balak. Sapagkat ang haring laging maamo ay minamaliit at nilalabag ang kanyang utos; ngunit kung pawang kalupitan, ang bayan ay natatakot at nagngingitngit. Kaya, yakapin mo ang dalawa—kahinahunan at higpit—ayon sa hinihingi ng pagkakataon.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should balance gentleness with necessary severity. Straightforwardness is good in general conduct, but not in matters that must remain confidential—one’s vulnerabilities, strategic counsel, and operational skill—because excessive softness invites disobedience while excessive harshness alienates the people.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira principles of governance after the war, emphasizing practical political wisdom: maintain public benevolence, but protect state secrets and enforce authority with measured firmness.