Shloka 13
Chapter 78: Royal Responsibility for Wealth, Social Order, and the Protection of Dvijas
Kekaya Exemplum
न याचन्ते प्रयच्छन्ति सत्यधर्मविशारदा: । नाध्यापयन्त्यधीयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति न
na yācante prayacchanti satyadharmaviśāradāḥ | nādhyāpayanty adhīyante yajante yājayanti na |
毗湿摩说道：“他们不乞求，反而施与——精于真实之言，善于奉行达摩。他们不教授吠陀，却研习吠陀；他们举行祭祀，却不为他人主持祭仪。在我的国度里，刹帝利安住于本阶层应尽之业：他们布施而不受施；不待人开口，便将求者所愿尽数赐予。他们护持婆罗门，临阵从不背敌而退。即便如此——你又如何进入了我的身躯之内？”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse outlines varṇa-appropriate conduct for kṣatriyas: they uphold truth and dharma, study the Veda without taking up the brāhmaṇa’s role of teaching, perform sacrifices without acting as priests for others, give generously without begging or accepting gifts, protect brāhmaṇas, and show courage in battle. Ethical kingship is framed as disciplined role-based duty and public-spirited generosity.
Bhīṣma speaks while reflecting on the moral strength of his realm’s kṣatriyas. He lists their virtues and proper conduct, then expresses astonishment that despite such protection and righteousness, some harmful presence or affliction has nevertheless entered his own body—posing a rhetorical challenge that sets up further explanation in the surrounding passage.