Shloka 13
Chapter 78: Royal Responsibility for Wealth, Social Order, and the Protection of Dvijas
Kekaya Exemplum
न याचन्ते प्रयच्छन्ति सत्यधर्मविशारदा: । नाध्यापयन्त्यधीयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति न
na yācante prayacchanti satyadharmaviśāradāḥ | nādhyāpayanty adhīyante yajante yājayanti na |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Hindi sila namamalimos; sa halip, sila ang nagbibigay—dalubhasa sa katotohanan at sa pagsasakatuparan ng dharma. Hindi sila nagtuturo ng Veda, ngunit pinag-aaralan nila ito; nagsasagawa sila ng yajña, ngunit hindi sila nag-oopisyal para sa iba. Sa aking kaharian, ang mga kṣatriya ay nananatiling abala sa tungkuling angkop sa kanilang varṇa: nagbibigay sila ng kaloob ngunit hindi tumatanggap, at kahit hindi hingin, ibinibigay nila sa mga humihingi ang ninanais. Pinangangalagaan nila ang mga brāhmaṇa at hindi kailanman tumatalikod sa labanan. Gayon pa man—paano ka nakapasok sa loob ng aking katawan?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse outlines varṇa-appropriate conduct for kṣatriyas: they uphold truth and dharma, study the Veda without taking up the brāhmaṇa’s role of teaching, perform sacrifices without acting as priests for others, give generously without begging or accepting gifts, protect brāhmaṇas, and show courage in battle. Ethical kingship is framed as disciplined role-based duty and public-spirited generosity.
Bhīṣma speaks while reflecting on the moral strength of his realm’s kṣatriyas. He lists their virtues and proper conduct, then expresses astonishment that despite such protection and righteousness, some harmful presence or affliction has nevertheless entered his own body—posing a rhetorical challenge that sets up further explanation in the surrounding passage.