Shloka 24
Treasury Security, Protection of Informants, and the Kalakavṛkṣīya Exemplum (Śānti Parva 83)
प्रागेवोक्तस्तु दोषो5यमाचार्यननपसेविनाम् । अगतीकगतिहांषा पापा राजोपसेविनाम्
prāgevoktas tu doṣo ’yam ācāryān anapasevinām | agatīkagatihāṃsā pāpā rājopasevinām ||
毗湿摩说：“此过失，治国之师早已指出：凡不善奉事师长者，及以事君为生者，其生计便成了带罪的‘无依者之依’——在别无所恃时所取的最后归宿。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that dependence on royal service can become a morally risky, even sinful livelihood—often chosen as a last resort by those lacking other support—and he links ethical stability to proper discipline and service to teachers/elders.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, citing earlier teachings of authoritative ācāryas to critique the dangers and moral compromises associated with serving kings.