Shloka 21

Kośārtha-Rājadharma: Ethical Revenue Collection and Social Regulation (कोशार्थ-राजधर्मः)

Devanagari script

स्थानान्येतानि संयम्य प्रसंगो भूतिनाशन: । कामे प्रसक्त: पुरुष: किमकार्य विवर्जयेत्‌

Transliteration

sthānāny etāni saṁyamya prasaṅgo bhūtināśanaḥ | kāme prasaktaḥ puruṣaḥ kim akāryaṁ vivarjayet ||

Translation

毗湿摩说道：此类场所当加以约束与管控，因为与之往来会煽动对欲乐的执著，从而毁坏兴盛与福祉。人一旦沉溺于欲望，还有什么不该做的恶行是他仍会克制不为的呢？

Word by Word

• {'sthānāni': 'places

• establishments', 'etāni': 'these', 'saṁyamya': 'having restrained

• having regulated', 'prasaṅgaḥ': 'association

• entangling attachment', 'bhūti-nāśanaḥ': 'destroyer of prosperity/welfare (bhūti = prosperity, nāśana = destroying)', 'kāme': 'in desire

• in sensual pleasure', 'prasaktaḥ': 'attached

• engrossed', 'puruṣaḥ': 'man

• person', 'kim': 'what?', 'akāryam': 'what ought not to be done

• wrongful act', 'vivarjayet': 'would avoid

Speaker

भीष्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Unchecked association with temptation increases sensual attachment and destroys welfare; once desire dominates, a person is unlikely to refrain from any improper act. Therefore, restraint and regulation of such tempting venues and contacts is advised.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhishma is advising about moral discipline and social safeguards, warning that indulgent environments and company intensify kāma and can lead to the collapse of prosperity and ethical restraint.