Shloka 7
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
धूमो वायोरिव वशे बलं धर्मो<डनुवर्तते । अनीथश्वरो बले धर्मो द्रुमे वललीव संश्रिता,जैसे धूआँ वायुके अधीन होकर चलता है, उसी प्रकार धर्म भी बलका अनुसरण करता है; अतः: जैसे लता किसी वृक्षके सहारे फैलती है, उसी प्रकार निर्बल धर्मबलके ही आधारपर सदा स्थिर रहता है
bhīṣma uvāca | dhūmo vāyor iva vaśe balaṃ dharmo 'nuvartate | anīśvaraḥ bale dharmo drume vallīva saṃśritaḥ |
Bhishma said: As smoke moves under the control of the wind, so dharma follows after power. Dharma, when it lacks mastery and support, depends upon power—just as a creeper spreads only by taking refuge in a tree.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a hard political-ethical realism: in society, dharma often becomes effective only when supported by strength and authority; without enforcement and protection, righteousness remains dependent and vulnerable.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, using vivid analogies (smoke guided by wind; a creeper supported by a tree) to explain how moral order in the world tends to rely on power for its operation and stability.