Shloka 24
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
परीक्ष्यकारी युक्तश्न स सम्यगुपपादयेत् । देशकालावभिप्रेतो ताभ्यां फलमवाप्नुयात्,जो पुरुष सोच-समझकर या जान-बूझकर काम करनेवाला तथा सतत सावधान रहनेवाला है, वह अभीष्ट देश और कालका ठीक-ठीक उपयोग करता है और उनके सहयोगसे इच्छानुसार फल प्राप्त कर लेता है
parīkṣyakārī yuktaśna sa samyag upapādayet | deśakālāv abhipreto tābhyāṃ phalam avāpnuyāt ||
Bhishma said: “A person who acts after due examination, with disciplined conduct and constant alertness, should carry out his undertakings in the right way. Keeping in view the desired place and time, he makes proper use of both and, with their support, attains the result he seeks.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Act only after careful examination, maintain self-discipline and vigilance, and choose the proper place and time; skillful use of these conditions leads to the desired outcome.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and practical governance, Bhishma continues advising the listener on how wise action succeeds: through deliberation, restraint, and correct timing and setting.