Shloka 3
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
नातिगाधे जलाधारे सुहृदः कुशलास्त्रय: । प्रभूतमत्स्ये कौन्तेय बभूवु: सहचारिण:,कुन्तीनन्दन! कहते हैं, एक तालाबमें जो अधिक गहरा नहीं था, बहुत-सी मछलियाँ रहती थीं, उसी जलाशयमें तीन कार्यकुशल मत्स्य भी रहते थे, जो सदा साथ-साथ विचरनेवाले और एक-दूसरेके सुहृद् थे
bhīṣma uvāca | nātigādhe jalādhāre suhṛdaḥ kuśalās trayaḥ | prabhūtamatsye kaunteya babhūvuḥ sahacāriṇaḥ ||
Bhishma said: O son of Kunti, in a reservoir that was not very deep, yet teeming with fish, there lived three skilled fish—close friends—who always moved about together.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets the stage for a moral exemplum: even in a seemingly safe, resource-rich setting, wise beings rely on skill, unity, and foresight. It introduces friendship and prudent intelligence as the basis for ethical survival and right action.
Bhishma begins a story addressed to Yudhiṣṭhira: in a shallow pond full of fish, three capable fish live together as close companions. This opening prepares for subsequent events that will draw out a lesson in conduct (nīti) and discernment.