Shloka 55
क्रुद्धो5प्यक्रुद्धसूप: स्यात् स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिता । न चाप्यन्यमपथध्वंसेत् कदाचित् कोपसंयुत:,मनमें क्रोध भरा हो, तो भी ऊपरसे क्रोधशून्य बना रहे और मुसकराकर बातचीत करे। कभी क्रोधमें आकर किसी दूसरेका तिरस्कार न करे। भारत! शत्रुपर प्रहार करनेसे पहले और प्रहार करते समय भी उससे मीठे वचन ही बोले। शत्रुको मारकर भी उसके प्रति दया दिखाये, उसके लिये शोक करे तथा रोये और आँसू बहाये
kruddho 'py akruddha-sūpaḥ syāt smita-pūrvābhibhāṣitā | na cāpy anyam apatha-dhvaṁset kadācit kopa-saṁyutaḥ ||
Kaṇika advises that even when anger rises within, one should outwardly appear free from anger and speak first with a smile. Even if seized by wrath, one must never, at any time, ruin another person’s standing by pushing them onto a wrongful path or by harshly discrediting them. The counsel is a strategy of controlled speech and concealed emotion: maintain a pleasant exterior, restrain retaliatory words, and avoid actions that publicly degrade others—especially in contexts of rivalry and political conflict.
कणिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mastery over anger and speech: even if anger is felt inwardly, one should maintain a calm, pleasant demeanor, speak gently, and avoid words or actions that disgrace or morally derail others.
Kaṇika is delivering counsel in the Adi Parva’s political-ethical discourse, advising how a person (especially a ruler or strategist) should manage anger and public conduct—using controlled, smiling speech rather than open wrath.