Shloka 6
राजा-दैवतत्वम् — The King as a Stabilizing ‘Daivata’ (Divine Function) in Social Order
अथ चेदाभिवर्तेत राज्यार्थी बलवत्तर: । अराजकाणि राष्ट्राणि हतवीर्याणि वा पुन:
atha ced ābhivarteta rājārthī balavattaraḥ | arājakāṇi rāṣṭrāṇi hatavīryāṇi vā punaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“若有更强的王位争夺者，因贪求国土而进逼那些无君之地——或再者，进逼那些元气已折、势力已破之邦——则其民当出城迎接，以应有的礼遇与尊敬相待。这是对他们最稳妥的劝告，因为没有任何祸恶大过那罪孽深重的无政府之乱。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that for a rulerless or militarily broken land, accepting a stronger would-be ruler can be the least harmful option, because prolonged anarchy is portrayed as a grave moral and social evil.
In the Śānti Parva’s discourse on kingship and governance, Bhīṣma advises what subjects should do if a powerful aspirant to rule moves against a kingless or weakened territory: they should meet him and offer formal reception, prioritizing restoration of order over the chaos of lawlessness.