Shloka 45
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
सीता नाम नदी राजन् प्लवो यस्यां निमज्जति । तथोपमामिमां मन्ये वागुरां सर्वधातिनीम्,राजन! सीता नामसे प्रसिद्ध एक नदी है, जिसमें नाव भी डूब जाती है, वैसी ही यहाँकी राजनीति भी है (इसमें मेरे जैसे सहायकोंके भी डूब जानेकी आशडूका है)। मैं तो इसे समस्त प्राणियोंका विनाश करनेवाली फाँसी ही समझता हूँ
sītā nāma nadī rājan plavo yasyāṁ nimajjati | tathopamām imāṁ manye vāgurāṁ sarvadhātinīm ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O Hari, may isang ilog na tinatawag na Sītā na sinasabing kahit bangka ay lumulubog doon. Itinuturing ko ang buhay sa pulitika na gaya niyon—isang bitag na lumalamon sa lahat. Maaari nitong ilubog maging ang mga nagsisikap tumulong at magtimon. Para sa akin, ito’y kahawig ng isang lubid na panakal na nagdadala ng kapahamakan sa lahat ng nilalang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that political power and statecraft can become an all-consuming trap: even capable helpers may be overwhelmed. Therefore a ruler must approach governance with vigilance, restraint, and ethical clarity, recognizing how easily policy and intrigue can lead to harm.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma addresses the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) and uses a vivid simile: just as a perilous river can sink even a boat, so the realm of politics can drown those engaged in it. He frames governance as morally hazardous if not handled with dharma.