Shloka 36
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
आपद्विनाशभूयिष्ठ गर्त: कार्य हि जीवितम्
āpadvināśabhūyiṣṭha gartaḥ kārya hi jīvitam
قال بهيشما: «في أزمنة النوازل، تصبح الحياة نفسها كهوّةٍ سحيقة تهيمن عليها تهديدات الهلاك. لذلك ينبغي أن يكون العمل كلّه موجَّهًا أولًا إلى حفظ الحياة.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis (āpada), ordinary norms may be constrained by danger; the immediate ethical priority is to preserve life, because survival is the basis for fulfilling dharma and responsibilities afterward.
Bhīṣma, instructing on dharma in the Śānti Parva, characterizes calamity as a perilous ‘pit’ where destruction predominates, and advises that one should take necessary action with the aim of safeguarding life.