Shloka 8
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
अवरोधान् जुगुप्सेत का सपत्नधने दया । न त्वेवात्मा प्रदातव्य: शक्ये सति कथंचन
bhīṣma uvāca | avarodhān jugupset kā sapatnadhane dayā | na tvevātma pradātavyaḥ śakye sati kathaṃcana ||
敌军来犯之时，君王当先竭力保全内廷。若内廷已为敌所据，便当斩断眷恋；因为落入对手掌控的财物与眷属，怜悯又有何用？只要尚有可能，万不可在任何情形下将自身落入敌手。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, especially during enemy assault, a ruler must act with clear-eyed prudence: protect the inner quarters first, but if they are captured, do not indulge in futile pity for what is already under enemy control; above all, do not allow oneself to be captured when escape or resistance is possible, since the king’s survival is necessary for restoring dharma and protecting the polity.
Bhishma is instructing Yudhishthira on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, giving hard counsel about wartime priorities: safeguarding the palace’s inner apartments, recognizing when a position is lost, withdrawing attachment, and ensuring the ruler does not fall into enemy hands.