Mahabharata 1.140.90 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 140, Shloka 90
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
पाण्डवेषु यथान्यायमन्येषु च कुरूद्वह | वर्तमानो न मज्जेस्त्वं तथा कृत्यं समाचर
pāṇḍaveṣu yathānyāyam anyeṣu ca kurūdvaha | vartamāno na majjes tvaṃ tathā kṛtyaṃ samācara, kuruśreṣṭhī! |
Kaṇika sprach: „O Stier unter den Kurus, verhalte dich den Pāṇḍavas gegenüber—und ebenso den anderen—gemäß dem, was sich ziemt, und nach Gerechtigkeit. Doch handle so, dass du, auch wenn du in die Geschäfte verstrickt bleibst, nicht in ein Meer der Gefahr hinabsinkst. Da man dich für mit allen Mitteln des Wohlergehens ausgestattet und für den Vornehmsten unter den Menschen hält, o König, schütze dich im Hinblick auf die Söhne Pāṇḍus.“
कणिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain outward propriety and justice in dealing with the Pāṇḍavas and others, but choose actions that prevent personal or political ruin—ethical appearance and strategic self-preservation are both emphasized.
Kaṇika is giving counsel to a Kuru prince/king, urging him to behave appropriately toward the Pāṇḍavas while simultaneously taking measures to ensure his own safety and advantage in the unfolding rivalry.
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