Shloka 8
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
बाहो: पुत्रेण राज्ञा च सगरेण च धीमता । असमज्जा: सुतो ज्येष्ठस्त्यक्त: पौरहितैषिणा,बाहुके पुत्र बुद्धिमान् राजा सगरने तो पुरवासियोंके हितकी इच्छासे अपने ज्येष्ठ पुत्र असमंजाका भी त्याग कर दिया था
bāhoḥ putreṇa rājñā ca sagareṇa ca dhīmatā | asamañjāḥ suto jyeṣṭhas tyaktaḥ paurahita-eṣiṇā ||
毗湿摩说：贤明的萨伽罗王，跋呼之子，为了百姓之福祉，甚至舍弃了长子阿娑曼阇。此事用以表明：君王首要之责在于公共利益，亲缘不能为危害社会之行开脱。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king must prioritize the welfare of the people over personal attachment; even one’s own child may be set aside if his presence or actions harm the realm. Rajadharma demands impartiality and protection of society.
Bhishma cites the example of the wise king Sagara, son of Bāhu, who—motivated by concern for the citizens—abandoned his eldest son Asamañjā. The example supports a broader discussion of righteous governance in the Shanti Parva.