Shloka 41
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
कि तैयेंडनडुहो नोह्या: किं धेन्वा वाप्यदुग्धया । वन्ध्यया भार्यया को<्ं:र्थ:कोड्ड थो राज्ञाप्परक्षता
kiṁ tair indanaduhobhir nohyaiḥ? kiṁ dhenvā vāpy adugdhayā? vandhyayā bhāryayā ko 'rthaḥ? ko 'rtho rājñāparakṣatā?
毗湿摩说道：不能负轭载重的公牛，有何用处？不出乳的母牛，有何用处？不育的妻子，有何所成？而不能护民的国王，又有何益？
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses functional dharma: the worth of a role is measured by its essential duty—oxen must bear loads, cows must yield milk, a spouse sustains lineage and household aims, and above all a king must protect. Without fulfilling the defining obligation, the office becomes meaningless.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma addresses the standards of kingship and social responsibility. He uses sharp analogies from agrarian and household life to emphasize that a ruler who cannot protect his people fails the very purpose of being king.