Shloka 28

Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies

Gaṇa-nīti

Devanagari script

आशभ्यन्तरं भयं रक्ष्यमसारं बाह्ृतो भयम्‌

Transliteration

āśābhyantaraṁ bhayaṁ rakṣyam asāraṁ bāhṛto bhayam

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“当防守那由内心的希求与贪欲所生之惧；外来的恐惧反倒飘忽不定，难有久实。其义理在于：由欲望而起的内在躁动，比外在威胁更深地动摇人的定力与达摩。”

Word by Word

• आशभ्य: having seized/held fast
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-शभ्
• Form: त्वा (क्त्वा-अन्त अव्ययभावः/absolutive), absolutive (having seized/held)

• अन्तरम्: inner, internal
• अन्तरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• रक्ष्यम्: to be protected / should be guarded
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष्
• Form: यत् (gerundive/future passive participle), Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• असारम्: insubstantial, worthless
• असारम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असार
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• बाह्यतः: from outside / externally
• बाह्यतः: Apadana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बाह्य
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Fear rooted in inner hope and craving is the more dangerous enemy; it should be restrained, because it destabilizes judgment and dharmic conduct, whereas external threats are comparatively transient and less controlling.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on right conduct and mental discipline, emphasizing mastery over internal impulses—here, the anxiety generated by hope/desire.