Shloka 18

राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान

Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence

Devanagari script

एकाड्लरेनापि सम्भूत: शत्रुर्दुर्गमुपाश्रित: । सर्व तापयते देशमपि राज्ञ: समृद्धिन:

Transliteration

ekāḍhvareṇāpi sambhūtaḥ śatrur durgam upāśritaḥ | sarvaṃ tāpayate deśam api rājñaḥ samṛddhinaḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma nói: Dẫu chỉ một lực lượng địch nhỏ, một khi đã nổi lên và nương náu trong thành lũy kiên cố, cũng có thể thiêu đốt cả một cõi nước—kể cả của vị vua thịnh vượng. Lời răn là: lơ là việc phòng thủ và trị quốc sẽ khiến mối họa nhỏ hóa thành nỗi khổ lan tràn cho dân và cho nước.

Word by Word

• एक: by one (single)
• एक: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• अङ्गुलेन: by a finger-breadth (a very small measure)
• अङ्गुलेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• अपि: even/also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• सम्भूतः: arisen/come into being
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + भू
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• शत्रुः: enemy
• शत्रुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दुर्गम्: fort/stronghold
• दुर्गम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• उपाश्रितः: having taken refuge in/resorted to
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + आ + श्रि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• सर्वम्: entire/whole
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• तापयते: he torments/afflicts
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (causative: तापय-)
• Form: Present, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• देशम्: country/realm
• देशम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अपि: even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• राज्ञः: of the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• समृद्धिनः: of prosperity/abundance
• Type: Noun
• Root: समृद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• śatru (enemy)
• durga (fortress)
• rājā (king)
• deśa (realm)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler must not underestimate small threats: when an enemy gains a secure base (a fortress), even a minor force can inflict widespread harm. Vigilance, timely action, and protection of the realm are essential duties of kingship.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma warns about political-military realities: an enemy entrenched in a stronghold can harass and distress the entire country, even under a wealthy and powerful king.