Shloka 9
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
दुराचार: क्षीणबल: परित्राणं न गच्छति । अथ तस्मादुद्विजते सर्वो लोको वृकादिव,जिसका बल नष्ट हो गया है, जो दुराचारी है, उसको भय उपस्थित होनेपर कोई रक्षक नहीं मिलता है। दुर्बलसे सब लोग उसी प्रकार उद्विग्न हो उठते हैं, जैसे भेड़ियेसे
durācāraḥ kṣīṇabalaḥ paritrāṇaṁ na gacchati | atha tasmād udvijate sarvo loko vṛkād iva |
Bhishma said: A man of wicked conduct, whose strength has been worn away, finds no refuge when fear arises. Indeed, the whole world becomes wary of such a weakened person, just as it is alarmed by a wolf.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral character and inner strength are the basis of social trust and protection: when a person is corrupt and weakened, he cannot secure refuge in danger, and society naturally becomes wary of him.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma advises the listener by stating a general ethical principle: the immoral and enfeebled person is left without protectors, and people keep their distance from him, likened to fear of a wolf.