Shloka 139
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
एवमेवोपभोगेषु भोजनाच्छादनेषु च । गुणेषु परिमेयेषु निग्रहानुग्रहं प्रति
evamevopabhogeṣu bhojanācchādaneṣu ca | guṇeṣu parimeyeṣu nigrahānugrahaṁ prati ||
毗湿摩说道：“同样，在享用之事上——饮食、衣服，以及其他有限而可度量的安适——君王并非真正自由。又在两项职责上：抑制恶人、恩泽善士，他也必须在约束之下行事。即便在少数看似可由己择的事务中，他仍为贪著与不得已所系缚。至于议和或兴兵，君王的真实独立又在何处？”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s apparent power is bounded by dharma, practical necessity, and the welfare of subjects; even pleasures, punishments, rewards, and decisions of peace or war are not matters of personal whim but constrained duties requiring restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising the ruler (Yudhishthira) that royal authority is limited: the king must regulate personal enjoyments and govern through measured punishment and benevolence, and even major policies like treaty or conflict are shaped by circumstances and obligation.