Shloka 92
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अनज़॒पुत्रो5तिबलो नीतिमानभिगम्य वै । प्रतिपेदे महाराज्यमथेन्द्रियवशो 5भवत्,अनड्के पुत्रका नाम था अतिबल। वह भी नीतिशास्त्रका ज्ञाता था, उसने विशाल राज्य प्राप्त किया। राज्य पाकर वह इन्द्रियोंका गुलाम हो गया
Anaṅga-putro 'tibalo nītimān abhigamya vai | pratipede mahārājyam athendriya-vaśo 'bhavat ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Si Atibala, anak ni Anaṅga, ay malakas at bihasa sa sining ng pamamahala. Sa takdang paraan ay lumapit siya at nagkamit ng isang malawak na kaharian. Ngunit nang makamtan ang kapangyarihan, siya’y napailalim sa paghahari ng kaniyang mga pandama.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ruler skilled in nīti can fall if he lacks indriya-nigraha (control of the senses). Power and prosperity intensify temptations; therefore, self-restraint is essential to preserve dharma and stable governance.
Bhishma cites Atibala as an example: he acquires a great kingdom through proper means and competence, but after attaining rule he becomes dominated by sensory desires, illustrating how success can lead to moral decline.