Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 4
देवविमान-दर्शनम् / The Celestial Assembly and Vimana Spectacle
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Encounter Framed Cosmically
स्वार्थे सर्वे विमुहान्ति येडपि धर्मविदो जना: । तस्माद् राजन ब्रवीम्येष वाक््यं ते यदि रोचते
svārthe sarve vimuhyanti ye 'pi dharmavido janāḥ | tasmād rājan bravīmy eṣa vākyaṃ te yadi rocate ||
حتى الذين يعرفون الدارما يضلّون إذا تعلّق الأمر بمصلحتهم الخاصة. لذلك، أيها الملك، سأقول لك هذه النصيحة—إن طاب لك أن تسمعها.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Personal interest can cloud discernment so strongly that even those who understand dharma may act or judge wrongly; hence one should seek counsel grounded in principle rather than advantage.
Bhishma addresses a king and prefaces his advice by noting how self-interest leads to confusion; he then offers counsel, inviting the king’s willingness to accept it.