Shloka 33
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
आपत्स्वेव च वोढव्यं भवद्धि: पुड़वैरिव । न च प्रियतरं कार्य धनं कस्याज्चिदापदि
āpatsv eva ca voḍhavyaṃ bhavadbhiḥ pūḍavair iva | na ca priyataram kāryaṃ dhanaṃ kasyacid āpadi ||
毗湿摩说道：“逢此灾厄，诸位亦当共担重负——如强壮之牛，纵行险途亦能负载而达。处于逆境之时，任何人都不应把财富视为最可爱之物而藏匿；当为众利而承担应做之事。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a public crisis, one should accept necessary burdens and contribute resources; hoarding wealth out of fear or attachment is ethically improper when collective welfare is at stake.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma counsels the listeners on proper conduct during distress, using the image of strong oxen carrying loads through rough paths to urge steadfast responsibility and non-hoarding.