Shloka 23
Chapter 78: Royal Responsibility for Wealth, Social Order, and the Protection of Dvijas
Kekaya Exemplum
मेरे राज्यमें कोई भी ब्रह्मचर्यका पालन न करनेवाला भिक्षा नहीं माँगता अथवा भिक्षु या संन्यासी ब्रह्मचर्यका पालन किये बिना नहीं रहता। बिना ऋत्विजके मेरे यहाँ होम नहीं होता; फिर तुम कैसे मेरे भीतर घुस आये? ।।
bhīṣma uvāca |
kṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mayā sarvaṃ rājya-sthenāpi kāryavat |
nāhaṃ vyutkramitaḥ satyān māmaka-antaram āviśaḥ ||
nāvajānāmy ahaṃ vaidyān na vṛddhān na tapāsvinaḥ |
rāṣṭraṃ svapati jāgarmi māmaka-antaram āviśaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“纵然端坐王座之上，我也依本分尽行治国之责，从未偏离真谛——你又如何得以侵入我身心之内？我从不轻慢医者、长者与苦行者。即使举国沉睡，我亦为护国而守夜；然而你竟仍能入我内里，这究竟如何？”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s legitimacy rests on unwavering truthfulness, dutiful governance, and respectful conduct toward the learned, elders, and ascetics; even then, one must examine how inner fault or suffering can still arise, prompting deeper self-inquiry into subtle lapses and unseen causes.
Bhishma speaks in the Shanti Parva context of moral instruction, asserting his disciplined performance of royal duties and his respect for virtuous persons. He expresses astonishment that some inner affliction or moral ‘intruder’ has entered him despite his vigilance, framing a reflective challenge about hidden vulnerabilities even in a conscientious life.